Hong Kong: Students explore Chinese culture Understanding of the Chinese culture and cultivating national identity in children has always been one of the learning objectives in the kindergarten education curriculum. In light of the developmental and learning characteristics of young children, kindergartens use real-life themes to incorporate elements of Chinese culture in integrated learning activities, such as storytelling, reading, role-playing, drawing, singing and dancing, to help them learn and experience Chinese culture. Diversified teaching For January, PLK Fong Tam Yuen Leung (Tsz Wan Shan) Kindergarten has chosen the Lunar New Year as its monthly teaching theme. Relevant Chinese culture elements have been fully incorporated into the daily teaching activities and placed around the whole school. Through a musical activity, the youngsters learnt about the Chinese legend of Nian, a ferocious beast that would descend on villages on Lunar New Years Eve and eat everything in sight. But Nian was said to be afraid of the colour red and loud noise, so the students played Chinese percussion instruments and waved fai chun or traditional red banners to drive the monster away. At the end of the performance, everyone became friends and enjoyed a happy Lunar New Year, serving as a moral lesson for the children. Customary celebrations The students also learnt about the reunion dinner, held on Lunar New Years Eve, which is believed to be the most important part of the Spring Festival as well as the most important meal of the year. The children had their reunion dinner role-play, with some of the students acting as chefs and preparing "lucky" Chinese dishes and their classmates playing the role of family members. PLK Fong Tam Yuen Leung (Tsz Wan Shan) Kindergarten Principal Yick Oi-ling explained that the youngsters were able to learn and practise virtues such as filial piety to parents and elders as well as respecting, helping and caring for each other, through the reunion dinner role-play. Another important tradition in the weeks leading up to the Lunar New Year is spring-cleaning. Families thoroughly clean their homes to sweep away the dust and dirt of the past year and embrace a brand new beginning. The kindergarten students did their part by helping the school cleaners with this important task. Principal Yick pointed out that through this activity, the children will then be able to help out with the housework at home too. Under its teaching theme of Lunar New Year, the school provides diversified activities such as learning about calligraphy by viewing different fonts of the Chinese character for fortune, crafting Lunar New Year food out of Play-Doh, and finding out more about Chinese tea and the art of paper-cutting. Government support The 2022 Policy Address outlined various measures to strengthen national education and formulated key performance indicators. Starting from this school year, all kindergartens joining the Kindergarten Education Scheme are required to organise at least one schoolbased activity relating to Chinese culture every year. To further support the kindergartens in promoting the learning of Chinese culture, the Education Bureau has earmarked $60 million for a one-off Grant for Promotion of Chinese Art & Culture. A maximum of $80,000, based on the number of eligible students, will be granted for each participating kindergarten to organise related school-based activities from the 2022-23 school year to the 2024-25 school year. Education Bureau Principal Education Officer (Kindergarten Education) Magnolia Leung emphasised that the bureau is committed to promoting national education and helping children learn about the country and Chinese culture from an early age. We are delighted to see kindergartens promoting national education with a whole-school approach and actively strengthening the elements of Chinese culture in the curriculum, helping children pass on the Chinese traditional virtues. We will continue to join hands with kindergartens to help children gain an understanding of our country, appreciate Chinese culture and build a sense of national identity from an early age. Ms Leung added that there has been positive feedback from the kindergarten sector on the grant and recognition of the bureaus efforts in providing appropriate resources to support the promotion of Chinese culture for students. Principal Yick supplemented that she will use the grant to purchase materials relating to the teaching of Chinese culture, such as more Chinese musical instruments as well as organise more trips for students outside of a classroom setting. In early January, the bureau issued a circular memorandum introducing details of the grant and its application procedures to around 750 eligible kindergartens. As at January 16, more than 200 kindergartens have applied for the grant. The application deadline is January 30. This story has been published on: 2023-01-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Chinese astronauts send Spring Festival greetings from space station Xinhua) 09:46, January 22, 2023 This video snapshot shows the Shenzhou-15 astronauts Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming and Zhang Lu sending their Spring Festival greetings from China's Tiangong space station in a video released by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on New Year's Eve. (Xinhua) BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Shenzhou-15 astronauts Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming and Zhang Lu sent their Spring Festival greetings from China's Tiangong space station in a video released by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on New Year's Eve. The trio, dressed in blue jumpsuits with dark red patterns, each held a sticker showing their own calligraphy. Two of the stickers were written with the Chinese character "fu", meaning good luck, and the other sending good luck wishes from Tiangong. "Wearing new clothes, eating dumplings and sending blessings -- the festive customs and atmosphere are the same here," said Zhang. The astronauts have decorated the orbiting space station, about 400 km above Earth, with red couplets and Chinese knots. "I believe that, at the moment, many people are sticking to their work posts just like us, which is also a kind of happiness," said Deng, adding that each individual's dreams and efforts can converge together into a vigorous force to promote the country's modernization drive. Fei, the commander, wished the country and its people peace and prosperity. In another video also released by the CMSA Saturday, the astronauts displayed 40 paintings by children in a "space painting exhibition" as a New Year gift to all Chinese people. The paintings, launched together with the Shenzhou-15 mission on Nov. 29 last year, depicted the children's impressions and expectations on the country's rapid development, diverse cultural traditions and brave space exploration. The Shenzhou-15 mission wraps up the last stage of the space station construction and kicks off the first stage of its application and development. During their six-month stay in orbit, the Shenzhou-15 crew will carry out more than 40 experiments and tests in the fields of space science research and application, space medicine and space technology, and will conduct extravehicular activities on three to four occasions. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun) TPCC Chief and MP A. Revanth Reddy, CLP Leader Mallu Batti vikramarka, Telangana Congress in-charge Manikrao Thakre, play cricket during the 40th Rajiv Gandhi All india Under 19 T-20 Cricket championship at the LB stadium. (S. Surender Reddy/DC) Hyderabad: TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy asserted that the Congress would be winning all 14 Assembly seats of the erstwhile Mahbubnagar district, which had long been a Congress bastion before being taken over by the TRS (BRS), with the support of the SC and ST community votes. Addressing a massive gathering at the Dalita Girijana Atma Gourava Sabha in Bijinapally in Nagarkurnool, Revanth Reddy stated that it was his responsibility and mission to win all 14 seats and unfurl the party's flag in the district. "I'll take the responsibility to ensure the candidates victory and see to it that they sit in the Assembly," Revanth Reddy said, perched on top of his truck while addressing the cheering crowd. "For this to achieve, the Dalits, tribals, Adivasis, and weaker sections should unite together and drive the Congress on the path of victory," he urged. He condemned the assault on Rathlavath Valya Naik, who was allegedly physically attacked last month in Bijinapally by BRS local leaders, including the vice-MPP and former sarpanch, by drawing comparisons to the death of African American George Floyd after a US policeman knelt on his neck. "Girijans and Dalits will not remain silent, and they will not soon forget this," he said. "When Trump was in office, a Black man was killed by a police officer, which compelled Trump to quit (sic). Remember, KCR, the elections are only eight months away." The Chief Minister had promised to develop the Markandeya project to irrigate 8,000 acres during the 2018 elections, and the project's foundation stone was laid in 2019. "Four years on, there has been no improvement. Nagam Janardhan Reddy went there to question the injustice being done to the people, but cases were filed against him," Revanth Reddy claimed. Earlier, Manikrao Thakre, AICC (in-charge for Telangana affairs), claimed that the BRS was attempting to intimidate the Dalits and Adivasis. He vowed that the Congress would support the underprivileged and threatened to launch protests across the state. The meeting was attended by CLP leader, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, former MLA S.A. Sampath Kumar, former ministers Nagam Janardhan Reddy, Shabbir Ali, among others. Potent storm racing out of the Rockies could produce snow from New Mexico to Maine A large storm that gained strength moving through the Rocky Mountains will leave a swath of heavy snow in its wake, including in areas as far south as northern Texas, AccuWeather forecasters say. "Robust atmospheric energy tracking across the Southwest early this week will set the stage for a potent storm to take shape over the southern and central United States," explained AccuWeather Meteorologist Mary Gilbert. As the storm begins to trek over the southern and central U.S., it will begin to tap into abundant moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. This will unload drenching rainfall and severe weather across the Gulf Coast, but also fuel heavy snow across portions of the southern Plains, Gilbert continued. Snow hit several areas in the Plains on Saturday, including in western Kansas and portions of Nebraska. Snowfall totals reaching nearly 6 inches will be possible across an area that is not often associated with winter weather. Oklahoma City, for example, averages just 6.7 inches per year. However, the city could receive a decent chunk of that average in just 12-24 hours from this storm system. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Farther south, the storm will likely bring mainly rain to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, although it's not out of the question that some snowflakes will mix in late Tuesday. "The last time measurable snow, or more than a trace of snow, was recorded at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport was back in February of 2022," stated Gilbert. On average, the area receives just over 1.5 inches of snow per year. Travel will become difficult as snow falls and visibility is significantly reduced. In addition to reduced visibility, even a minor coating on roads can make for slippery conditions, further hampering travel. Power outages could be a risk as well across the region due to the wet, heavy snow. Heavier, stickier snow cannot only weigh down power lines but also tree branches that hang over power lines. These branches could then break under the weight of the snow and potentially fall on the power lines. The picture gets a little messier once the storm approaches the Ohio Valley, forecasters say. With a storm that has as much energy as this one, subtle changes in the jet stream can send the storm farther north or south, which in turn would have a substantial impact on snowfall totals. The most probable storm track from Tuesday onward would bring the storm from South Texas and Louisiana quickly northeastward towards Pennsylvania by Wednesday night. A mix of rain and snow or just plain rain can be expected on the southeastern side of the storm, which could also cut into snowfall totals. AccuWeather meteorologists are currently highlighting the area from Springfield, Missouri, all the way up to northern Maine and Atlantic Canada as having the best chance for heavy snow. As the storm makes its way northeastward, it will bring the risk of disruptive snow to a few major cities, including St. Louis, Chicago and Detroit. While exact snowfall totals are still up in the air for these cities, the concern for a lengthy period of mixed precipitation cutting into their snowfall totals will be low as they are on the colder northwestern side of the storm track. Snow will likely begin Tuesday night in St. Louis and into the early morning hours on Wednesday in Chicago and Detroit, potentially impacting the morning commute. The storm will then dump snow for 12-24 hours before it is expected to conclude in all cities Wednesday night. While the heaviest snow will be over, a few residual snow showers or flurries can still occur in Chicago and Detroit on Thursday. Even though Chicago is situated outside the potential for the heaviest snow band, the city won't be out out of the woods. All three cities previously mentioned will likely have travel delays as a result of the storm and could even have some power outages. Once the storm enters the Northeast, the stage could be set for more snow across the interior and perhaps even closer to the Interstate 95 corridor. While nothing is set in stone at the moment, the storm track looks favorable for New York City and Philadelphia to continue their snow drought. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. Nadhim Zahawi, the Tory chairman in hot water over his tax affairs, is a multi-millionaire former businessman who had a meteoric rise to political power. He has a compelling backstory, having made it as an entrepreneur after coming to the UK as a child refugee unable to speak English. Born in Iraq to a Kurdish family, Mr Zahawi arrived in England as a nine-year-old when his parents fled the regime of Saddam Hussein. Coming to this country was hard, and yes, some kids could be cruel. Being a child from Iraq, I was seen as 'different'. Its hard to describe how I felt anger, confusion, unfairness. Looking back, I didnt know how to handle these feelings and emotions. Nadhim Zahawi (@nadhimzahawi) June 21, 2022 He grew up in Sussex and studied chemical engineering at University College London. In 2000, Mr Zahawi co-founded the YouGov polling company, staying involved in the running of the successful firm for a decade and becoming very wealthy in the process. But his financial affairs have been in the spotlight amid claims he avoided tax, using an offshore company registered in Gibraltar to hold shares in YouGov, allegations he denies. He recently admitted that he paid what HM Revenue & Customs said was due after the tax authority disagreed about the exact allocation of founder shares in the firm held by his father. Nadhim Zahawi was chancellor between July and September last year (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Mr Zahawi is believed to be one of the richest politicians in the House of Commons. He first entered Parliament in 2010 as the Tory MP for Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. He spent nearly eight years on the backbenches, gaining media attention in 2013 for claiming expenses for heating stables for his horses. Getting his first junior minister role in the Department for Education under Theresa May in 2018, he soon rose up the ranks to become Education Secretary. But it was when he was promoted to help lead the Governments Covid-19 vaccine roll-out in 2020 that he rose to prominence. Mr Zahawi was appointed chancellor by Boris Johnson last summer, hours after Rishi Sunaks dramatic resignation, and the day before the scandal-plagued then-prime minister was forced to quit. Former prime minister Boris Johnsons Cabinet (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Questions are swirling as to whether Mr Zahawi negotiated the dispute with HMRC during his two-month stint in the job, when he was in charge of the countrys taxation. He made a doomed attempt to replace Mr Johnson in the Tory leadership race. When Liz Truss emerged victorious, she appointed Mr Zahawi Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. After her premiership imploded, Mr Zahawi initially announced he would be backing Mr Johnson to return as PM, before switching allegiance to Mr Sunak on the same day, after the former leader said he would not be entering the contest. Mr Sunak is now facing questions over how much he knew about Mr Zahawis tax affairs when he brought him into his Cabinet, as minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office and Conservative party chairman. It has become a habit for most governments to make the annual Budget speech a statement of past achievements and grand promises. I would like now to see private investors and private industry in India coming forward with that so-called animal spirits to show that it is possible for India to be one of the fastest-growing economies. So implored Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, addressing a gathering of business leaders earlier this month. The animal spirits of entrepreneurs, observed the father of modern macroeconomics, John Maynard Keynes, are the spontaneous urge to action rather than inaction, and not as the outcome of a weighted average of quantitative benefits multiplied by quantitative probabilities. Keynes made a distinction between entrepreneurs and what he termed as professional investors. It is entrepreneurs who are the real risk takers, who take bets and charge forth. Professional investors are characterised by managerial inertia and boardroom wisdom. Indian industrial, manufacturing sector and even services sector growth rose between 1991 and 2011 driven to a considerable extent by entrepreneurial energy and initiative. Company names not heard of in the 1980s were among the most successful in the early 2000s. That corporate energy began to wind down after 2012 and went into slumber over the past six years. Consequently, the share of gross fixed capital formation in the private sector as a percentage of gross domestic product went down from close to 31 per cent in 2011 to 22 per cent in the pre-Covid year 2020. Hoping to stimulate private investment, former finance minister Arun Jaitley reduced corporate tax down to 15 per cent. This did not help. While the corporate sector continued to record high profits and became cash rich, it was just not investing in new projects. Faced with a stagnation in demand and growing concerns about the harassment of business by the governments various investigative agencies, and with ruling political parties at the Centre and in states making humongous demands for electoral funding, the appetite for new investment remained subdued. Recognising that private investment was not adequately forthcoming, Ms Sitharaman declared in her 2022 Budget speech that she would now rely on the virtuous cycle of kickstarting private investment by undertaking public capital investment that she hoped would help crowd-in private investment. At this stage, declared Ms Sitharaman, private investments seem to require that support to rise to their potential and to the needs of the economy. Public investment must continue to take the lead and pump-prime the private investment and demand in 2022-23. Ms Sitharaman has certainly delivered on the promise of raising public investment. Yet, private investment either of the entrepreneurial sort or of professional investors, has not been adequately forthcoming. In part, this is due to demand remaining subdued due to a variety of reasons, including the overall social and policy environment at home and the environment of uncertainty globally. Few expect a turnaround in either the domestic or global environment over the next year. Long-term expectations, as Keynes reminded us, is among the factors that determines the prospective yield of an asset Expectations of prospective yield can in part rely on existing facts but must also rely on future events which can only be forecasted with more or less confidence because of the extreme precariousness of the basis of knowledge on which our estimates have to be made. Expectations about the future remain subdued whatever the hype and hoopla that the government and various entities have tried to generate. Here is an assignment for a smart student of economics. Add up the investment plans announced at various state-level business summits since 2012. Inspired by the example of Vibrant Gujarat, almost every major state has since hosted business summits over the past decade. At each summit, leaders of big business occupy centre-stage and make bombastic speeches promising to invest lakhs of crores of capital in the state. The media assiduously reports all the good news and generate expectations of a new dawn. Once the inaugural event is over and the VIPs are gone, these summits quickly end up leaving lots of garbage behind for the unwashed to clean up. Incidentally, while these summits are supposedly hosted by major business chambers, they are all funded by the government -- both the Centre and the states. Public money is, therefore, used to showcase the private sectors supposed enthusiasm to invest in the state. I tried a back of the envelope calculation based on newspaper reports of intentions to invest at such summits to see how much has been promised. If the corporate sector had delivered on its promises, there ought to have been new investment of over a trillion dollars over the past decade. But, as we know, this has not been the case. A couple of business entities may have delivered, but few have followed the leader. What we continue to witness is a sort of capital strike. If a labour strike entails production down, a capital strike entails investment down. So, if Ms Sitharaman wants private investors and the corporate sector to heed her call to demonstrate their so-called animal spirits and show that it is possible for India to be one of the fastest-growing economies, then she and the government as a whole will have to find ways to end this capital strike. This requires optimism about future growth and demand, not based on political exhortations and grandiose scenario painting but on what Keynes termed as the outcome of a weighted average of quantitative benefits multiplied by quantitative probabilities. It has become a habit for most governments to make the annual Budget speech a statement of past achievements and grand promises. Rather, it would be helpful to investors if the Budget speech this year offered a realistic plan for the path forward from the three-year (2020-23) average growth rate of real GDP of just around 3.0 per cent to at least a 6.0 per cent average in the next two. The Rising India narrative, as I have often written before, was based on the observed trajectory of 7.5 per cent growth during 2000-2010, following the 5.5 per cent annual average growth during 1980-2000 that followed 3.5 per cent in 1950-1980. Today, only the narrative is back, but without the numbers to defend it. This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices. 1. ExxonMobil Corp emphasized the uncertainties of climate science and modeling Photo: Science 2. ExxonMobil Corp denigrated climate models Photo: Wikipedia 3. ExxonMobil Corp heavily mythologized 'global cooling' Photo: Pixabay 4. ExxonMobil Corp claimed ignorance about discernibility Photo: IPCC 5. ExxonMobil Corp kept silent on stranded assets Photo: Wikipedia In December 2022, Puerto Rico filed a lawsuit against ExxonMobil. Its the first-ever climate change RICO lawsuit against an oil major based on racketeering legislation. The 1970 Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act was originally intended to combat criminal enterprises like the mafia.Exxon is accused, along with other companies, of conspiring to deceive the public into thinking the current warming might not have been caused by man-made pollution and burning fossil fuels . There are also mentions of GM and Ford motor companies knowing about it since at least the 1970s.It sounds like a C-grade conspiracy movie, but its simply a real story of a three-decades-long campaign of many oil companies and trade associations that spread disinformation and opposed climate policies.ExxonMobil is the most important actor because, since the late 1970s and early 1980s, this major oil companys scientists predicted global warming correctly and skillfully. But Exxons management decided to deny it and simply lie about it.How did they do it? Using SCAM (the Scientific Certainty Argumentation Method) a tactic for undermining public understanding of scientific knowledge. It was a long and carefully planned strategy, based on five pillars of large-scale propaganda.In the 1970s, Exxon Research and Engineering Company was the most advanced research department a private company could have. Regarding global warming projections, the Exxon scientists were considered brilliant and skillful, on par with many independent scientists of their day.There were dozens of studies and models from the 1970s onwards that accurately foresaw the threat of human-caused global warming.For instance, a 1979 internal Exxon study concluded that:- the increase [in atmospheric CO2] is due to fossil fuel combustion- Increasing CO2 concentration will cause a warming of the earth's surface- the present trend of fossil fuel consumption will cause dramatic environmental effects before the year 2050.Recent investigations of internal Exxon documents revealed that more than half of the researchers projections in the 70s and 80s were consistent with historical observations. And also, more accurate than academic and government models of that time!Basically, company scientists were warning management about the dramatic future outcome because of the fossil fuel industry. But Exxon management made a choice: to keep using fossil fuels and, in the meantime, emphasize uncertainties.Every Thursday between 1972 and 2001, ExxonMobil bought advertorials in New York Times, at a discount price of $31,000 (in 2016 USD value, this is more than $40 million over 29 years!), and also one-quarter of all advertorials on op-ed.The main subjects that were discussed over and over were:- the uncertainty of climate science excludes the possibility of anthropogenic global warming; the main causes are of natural origin, ranging from a natural period of warming or solar activity to volcanic eruptions or El Nino phenomenon;- there is no viable data to suggest that human-caused global warming would occur; there are a lot of other scientists that do not agree with the National Academy and IPCC;- climate mitigation strategies will either fail or create bigger problems; the 1997 Kyoto Protocol would be financially crippling, economy-wrecking, and a blow to U.S. prosperity.A psychological examination of the effects of these advertorials revealed that they substantially affect levels of individual issue salience. Readerships were in millions and they were non-science oriented. As a result, the Doubt arguments largely affected public opinion and consequently crippled political decisions.The overall consensus among climate change scientists is that Exxon had very skillful researchers. They had access to first-hand data from the company database and also a very generous budget. Their models are considered among the best that science could produce at the time.The projection modeled by Exxon scientists is very high, ranging from 67 to 72% accuracy. For comparison, in 1988, NASAs scientist James Hansen presented to the U.S. Congress warming predictions with a skill score ranging from 38 to 66%.Basically, Exxons leading scientist themselves described their climate models as sophisticated and state of the art. And the historical evolution of climate is proof of this statement.However, ExxonMobils communication and managers claimed in public that scientific climate models are unreliable. CEO Lee Raymond called it unproven climate models, or, more often, sheer speculation.In 2015, his successor, Rex Tillerson, stated: We do not really know what the climate effects of 600 ppm versus 450 ppm will be because the models simply are not that good. But the companys own modeling from 1982 suggested 30 years prior that 600 ppm of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere had a high chance to lead to 1.3C (34.34 F) than 450 ppm.As of January 2023, the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is almost 420 ppm, and this year climatologists warn us that El Nino is very likely to help" global temperature to pass the 1.5 C (34.7 F) milestone.In the early 2010s, government agencies predicted that this value would be reached around 2050. Its now happening almost 30 years earlier, just as Exxons researchers predicted in several models created 30 years ago.The vast majority of scientists and peer-reviewed literature in the 1970s stated that, because of human-caused global warming, global cooling was unlikely to take place. Only around 14% of the peer-reviewed literature anticipated a minor natural ice age.Exxon scientists models were in no case showing any sign of cooling. They referred to imminent global warming as a carbon dioxide induced super-interglacial, that would render Earth hotter than at any time in the last 150,000 years.Exxon management received several memos on this literally hot subject, but they chose to cultivate the myth of the 1970s global cooling scientific consensus. There were many advertorials, public debates, and interviews with Exxons representatives on this false topic.There are unverified reports of Exxons influence on creating the 2004 'The Day After Tomorrow' movie, starring Dennis Quaid, where Earth is suddenly trapped in an Ice Age massive climate shift because of global warming.Twentieth Century Fox invited a group of scientists to preview the movie and most of them considered it an enjoyable nonsense. NASA scientists denied the request to be consultants in making the movie because the events in it were considered too ridiculous to actually occur.In private and academic circles since the late 1970s and early 1980s, ExxonMobil scientists accurately predicted when human-caused global warming would first be detected. Their average projected warming was 0.20 0.04C per decade, thus they informed Exxon management that anthropogenic global warming is going to be acknowledged by authorities in the year 2000 5.In 1988, The World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) with the goal of advancing scientific knowledge about climate change caused by human activities.The first ever IPCC assessment report was published in 1995 in line with Exxons scientists predictions and it stated that there was strong evidence of a human effect on global temperatures. In 2000 and in all subsequent IPCC assessment reports, the 'evidence' became 'strong confidence,' based on the scientific consensus.As a response to IPCC, in 1989, Exxon (at that time Mobil) founded, along with other major producers and users of fossil fuels, the Global Climate Coalition (GCC). It was the largest industry group active in climate policy and the most prominent industry advocate in international climate negotiations.Exxon called the scientific consensus as contrarian theories that do not offer convincing arguments against the conventional model of greenhouse gas emission-induced climate change. Or scientific uncertainties continue to limit our ability to make objective, quantitative determinations regarding the human role in recent climate change .GCC dissolved in 2001 after public criticism over creating manufactured controversy and sowing doubt over the scientific consensus on climate change. GCC's comprehensive PR campaign was designed by E. Bruce Harrison, who had been creating campaigns for the U.S. industry against environmental legislation from the 1970s.The concept of stranded fossil fuel assets is related to the 'carbon budget' the amount of CO2 emissions that can be added to the atmosphere by 2011 to keep anthropogenic global warming below 2 C (35.6 F), related to pre-industrial levels.Investigators identified a dozen of documents on the stranded assets issue, related to five reports addressing the ideas of cumulative fossil fuel use, cumulative CO2 emissions, and carbon budgets for CO2 stabilization and/or climate mitigation.Those reports were published between 1982 and 2005 and their conclusion was that the carbon budget between 2015 and 2100 was 251 to 716 gigatons of carbon (GtC). They are pretty close to contemporary estimates of 442 to 651 GtC.The problem is, nowadays, CO2 emissions are estimated to be more than 40 GtC/year. It means that in less than 20 years which is by 2040 humanity should totally divest from fossil fuels to avoid passing the 2 C (35.6 F) threshold.This tends to be a major problem for Exxons investors and shareholders it would be crazy to invest millions or billions of dollars in a company that you know for sure will collapse at a not-too-distant point in the future. Yet, ExxonMobil did not alert investors, consumers, or the general public to this constraint.As a twist of fate, the recent turmoil caused by Russias invasion of Ukraine helped Exxon finance, which announced record quarterly profits at the end of 2022. Moreover, it unveiled a massive $50 billion stock buyback scheme, which is expected to boost its 2022 market capitalization of $440 billion.Adding 'stranded assets' into the equation is like dropping a nuclear bomb on Exxon. So, its only natural for such a big corporation to keep silent and keep fueling its campaigns opposing policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Photo: Virgin Orbit Photo: Virgin Orbit Photo: Virgin Orbit Photo: Virgin Orbit Sending hardware and even humans beyond the borders of our own planet will probably forever require vertical launches, because of the immense amount of power needed in some cases. But as some Virgin companies have proven, closer destinations like the immediate orbits or the Karman line, the largely agreed limit to space, can be reached with horizontally-launched machines as well.In July 2021, Virgins founder Richard Branson took a seat alongside other non-astronauts in the VSS Unity spaceship. It was attached to SpaceShipTwo, a carrier plane that departed from a runway just to shoot the Unity from between its two fuselages and hurtle it horizontally to space. The flight was a success, and that proved once and for all you can reach space even if your ship does not leave a launch pad. Virgin Galactic didnt get to make any money from launching paying customers into space. Aside from that inaugural flight, it didnt fly again, at least so far, so the 400 flights per year announced in 2022 seem waaaay far-fetched.The other space company Branson owns, Virgin Orbit, seems to have found a successful recipe for launching custom cargo to orbit, though. Using a modified Boeing 747 called Cosmic Girl and a rocket named LauncherOne that attaches under one of the planes wings, Orbit delivered on its promises five times already, placing in the void around our planet several pieces of hardware for various customers.All five missions were conducted from the companys base at the Mojave Air and Spaceport in California, but as we stepped into 2023, Virgin moved to Spaceport Cornwall in the UK. The mission, called Start Me Up, in honor of the 1980s Rolling Stones hit by the same name, was to be the countrys first-ever orbital launch, Western Europes first commercial one, and Virgins first international launch. It failed . Cosmic Girl departed the runway, climbed to the set altitude, and released LauncherOne. The rocket ascended past the Karman line, but the second stage, after igniting successfully, cut off much sooner than expected. The rocket and its cargo failed to reach orbit and came back down, burning, over the Canary Islands.The reasons for the early shut-off of the rocket are under investigation, and until theyre made public, we decided its time to have a closer look at Virgins way of launching space missions without using a launch pad. And as youll see, the process is much simpler than you'd think, and potentially game-changing.It all starts with finding someone in need of a ride to space (or that someone finding Virgin). A contract is signed, payment is made, and were off.Whatever cargo needs to be transported beyond the atmosphere needs to be shipped to Long Beach, California, where Virgin Orbit operates its payload processing facility. Its an important piece of real estate, because its here where the ISO 8 Cleanliness standard cleanroom is located.You see, things sent to space need to be squeaky clean to operate properly. A cleanroom ensures there is not a single particle above the agreed limit (as per ISO 8, that would be a maximum of 100,000 particles per cubic foot of interior air), but also the right temperature and humidity for the cargo.Depending on the size and shape of the product, mating it to an adaptor is needed, so the rocket can accommodate its load. The adapter goes into something called a clamshell payload fairing. Thats the element that opens up and releases the cargo during the flight. The fairing is then connected to electric, ordnance, and radio systems.With these operations out of the way, the fairing is to be shipped to the launch site, where the rest of LauncherOne awaits. The rocket and its payload are mated together, and finally, the entire assembly goes onto the left wing of the Cosmic Girl, attached to a pylon.Theres nothing particularly complicated or spectacular in what comes next. On launch day, the plane accelerates down the runway, rotates (in aviation terms, that means raising the nose to take the plane off the ground), and sets course for the location chosen for separation. Depending on the desired orbital trajectory, the Boeing can stay airborne anywhere between 30 minutes and four hours. Generally, the altitude considered best for separation is 35,000 feet (10 km).When the moment is right, the planes pilot releases the rocket. He does that by pressing a button Virgin dramatically nicknamed Big Red Button because, well, its big and red.The rocket launches in a fashion similar to what you can see when a fighter jet fires a missile. Angled, plane and all, at 27 degrees toward the sky at the moment of release, it freefalls for about 4 seconds to make sure theres enough distance between it and the carrier when the first stage engine ignites. LauncherOnes first-stage engine is called NewtonThree, and it burns with enough power to shoot the rocket to 8,000 mph (12,800 kph). It burns out quickly and detaches. By the time this happens, the rocket is already at an altitude of anywhere between 310 and 745 miles (500 to 1,200 km), depending on the mission profile.Its now when the second stage engine, called NewtonFour, kicks in, trying to place the cargo on the desired orbit. The fairing opens and the second stage ejects, placing the satellite where it needs to be. Now floating aimlessly in space, the second stage will eventually be pulled back down to Earth and will burn in the planets atmosphere.And thats about it. It seems a lot simpler than having to move a rocket to the pad, fuel its massive tanks, send sparks to ignite it all, and hope it doesnt blow up. Then, why arent more companies doing it?Perhaps the simplest answer is the fact such a method only works for relatively small cargo. LauncherOne, for instance, can carry only 500 kg (1,100 pounds) to equatorial orbit, and just 300 kg (661 kg) to heliosynchronous orbit.So no, horizontal launches will probably not become mainstream for the larger space exploration industry, but they will more than likely significantly increase the number of small satellites that spin around our ball of rock. Whats more worrying is that, in the absence of a peace treaty (for what its worth, the two countries agreed in 2018 to work toward such a solution), fighting can break out at any moment. Especially when theres no telling what goes on in the head of the leader up North.But, unlike what happened in June 1950, North Korea is in no position to launch another surprise attack on its southern neighbor. Or, better yet, the South is much better positioned, military speaking, to survive such an attempt.Thats not in small part due to the presence of American forces in the country. After fighting alongside the Koreans back in the 1950s, Americans stayed there as a sort of security guarantee, and their presence has greatly solidified since.At the time of writing, the U.S. has some 28,500 soldiers on the ground in South Korea. They are part of something called United States Forces Korea (USFK), and work for five separate military groups: the Eight Army, Seventh Air Force, CNFK (U.S. Navy), MARFOR-K (advisers), and SOCKOR (command tasked with special operations).All these forces operate from five military installations, namely USAG Humphreys, Osan Air Base, USAG Yongsan, USAG Deagu, and Kunsan Air Base One of the military units based at Osan is the 36th Fighter Squadron, one of the units that have been on the front lines of the Korean War since day one all those decades ago. Established in 1917, it flew Curtiss P-36 Hawks during the Second World War, P-51 Mustangs after the conflagration ended, and Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars over Korea. Now, the unit flies F-16 Fighting Falcons in what it calls air superiority missions.We see one of these current planes in the main photo of this piece, during what the U.S. Air Force (USAF) calls a close air support mission. The photo is part of the first batch of USAF pics released this year, but shows the armed-to-the-teeth fighter plane as it flew a mission over South Koreas Gyeonggi-do region, right at the border with the North, back in December 2022.Although these outings are routine in the region, they come at a time when North Korea is once again trying to provoke its neighbors, and the plane makes no secret of the fact it has its allies back, flaunting its weapons for everyone to see.Almost all of the planes hard points seem to be loaded, either with drop tanks or with an assortment of missiles and bombs, and there even might be electronic countermeasure pods mounted in there.As the year grows older, we expect to see more of Americas Korean assets in action, so stay tuned for the most amazing of them all here, in autoevolution Photo of the Day feature. But what exactly is this source? Well, it's a fair bit more complicated than a bunch of defunct satellites bonking into each other. All the other hardware it takes to bring said satellites into orbit are also to blame. Spent rocket stages and the debris therefrom is another vital component making space junk so dangerous for astronauts in Low Earth Orbit. From Delta IIs to Ariane 5s and even the third stage of the Saturn V, which took Apollo 12, all have been identified at one point or another as maintaining orbits around the Earth. In the case of Apollo 12's third stage, it takes upwards of 40 years to complete a single transit between a heliocentric orbit (around the sun) and a geocentric orbit (around the Earth). What happens when these various bits and pieces of space debris collide with each other is very similar to what happens when throwing coffee beans into a grinder. Over time, impacts between these objects whittle down larger pieces of debris into nearly microscopic pieces. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize why that's a potential nightmare scenario waiting to happen. This time, the European Space Agency (ESA) went to bat in the name of solving this problem. One that's historically rooted in science fiction and parody but is already on the verge of becoming very unfunny. It was on January 19th of this year at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that ESA Director General Joseph Aschbacher announced the time had come to adopt a "zero debris" policy on future missions."We want to establish a zero debris policy, which means if you bring a spacecraft into orbit, you have to remove it," Aschbacher declared in front of an international crowd in Switzerland. "This policy should be in place in a couple of years." Encouraging words for some, but whether or not the ESA and its partners can stick to this schedule remains to be seenThe reasons why can only be described as a proverbial hoard of space debris currently in Low Earth Orbit that ranges in size from a few millimeters across to entire satellites. As many as 36,500 satellite fragments are known to exist in LEO, depending on the data source. This becomes considerably more the smaller and smaller each fragment category becomes.On the high side, as many as 130 million pieces of space junk barely the size of a head of a pin are floating around alongside valuable space infrastructure like the Hubble Space Telescope, the International Space Station, and dozens of others. Should even a handful of pieces of space junk impact any of these operational satellites at just the right angle, the results could be beyond devastating.At a minimum, each piece of space debris must maintain a speed above 15,700 or so miles per hour (25,265 kph) to not plunge into the upper fringes of the Earth's atmosphere. Considering a 50. cal BMG bullet fired at sea level can blow most objects to pieces at just 2,000 mph (3,300 kph); the ballistic effects of such a ferocious impact with no atmosphere to slow things down should speak for themselves.Global space agencies already have robust plans in place to track more substantial and intact pieces of space junk. The 2,449-kilogram (5,401 lb) Earth Radiation Budget Satellite is the most recent piece of debris to make headlines. Citing concerns about where exactly the defunct space probe would re-enter the atmosphere and impact the surface. It's hoped such initiatives like the one issued by the ESA are the first to tackle the problem at its source. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @_ishanidesai on Twitter. S. Oregon Coast Gets Another Pause on Recreational Crabbing - from Charleston to Gold Beach Published 01/20/23 at 6:10 PM By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Bandon, Oregon) Not long after recreational crabbing has returned to the entire Oregon coast, a sizable portion of the south coast gets shut down. While commercial crabbing remains open, crabbing in bays and the ocean by private citizens is not allowed between just north of Charleston to just north of Gold Beach. (Photo Oregon Coast Beach Connection) Once again, it's all due to the biotoxin domoic acid, which can make people very sick if consumed in shellfish and can even result in death. Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) issued the change Friday after tests for the biotoxin found levels above the limit for safety. The closure's exact boundaries are four miles north of Charleston (43 25) to one half mile north of Gold Beach (42 26), about 70 miles of southern Oregon coast. They include the Coos Bay and Coquille Rivers, along with towns Charleston, Bandon, Langlois, Nesika and Port Orford. Once an area is closed for biotoxins, it takes two consecutive tests in the clear before it can be reopened. Sampling crab is dependent on weather and tidal conditions, which can prevent testing. ODA said it is recommended that recreational crab harvesters always eviscerate crab before cooking. This includes removing and discarding the viscera, internal organs, and gills. Recreational bay clams and harvesting of mussels remains open along the entire Oregon coast. However, those biotoxins are still affecting razor clamming, which remains closed throughout the region. For more information, call ODAs shellfish biotoxin safety hotline at (800)448-2474, the Food Safety Division at (503) 986-4720, or visit the ODA shellfish biotoxin closures webpage. Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW Courtesy Bandon Visitors Photo Seaside Aquarium More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Second Deceased Whale Washes Up in Same N. Oregon Coast Spot Published 01/19/23 at 6:30 PM By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Warrenton, Oregon) [NOTE: FOR UPDATES ON CAUSE OF DEATH SEE Three Whales Hit Oregon Coast Sands: Causes of Death Released] Talk about astronomical. What are the chances? One in a thousand? (Photo Seaside Aquarium) Whatever the odds, it happened on the north Oregon coast early Wednesday when a second deceased whale washed up around Fort Stevens, not far from the first one that stranded last week. That initial one was a 40-foot sperm whale that scientists later discovered had been killed by a ship strike. The new find was a baby gray whale about 100 yards away. Tiffany Boothe of Seaside Aquarium has attended to both in the aquarium's role as part of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. The large sperm whale - determined to be about 20 years old - caused a media sensation, with numerous news outlets heading out to the beach to film, photograph or document the necropsy and other people's reactions. Photo courtesy Rachel Sip A consequence of all that coverage was even more people heading over to check it out, including one school bus full of Portland-area kids making the journey as a field trip. This perfect learning opportunity led to a major surprise, with Portland school administrator Rachel Sip contacting Oregon Coast Beach Connection early Wednesday afternoon. She said state park rangers were already there trying to figure things out, and even then there was chatter this was a gray whale. That was later confirmed by Boothe, who said the gray whale calf was about 12 feet long. Like the sperm whale, it had been dead for a while before washing ashore, she said. There are no indications that this whale was struck by a ship or died from human interaction. Most likely this is a case of failure to thrive. Photo Seaside Aquarium A necropsy is still coming, and then science and marine life experts will know for certain. You can see from the photos there are no external wounds visible, which probably means it was a disease or some food source issue. Gray whales are currently migrating south to their birthing and breeding grounds near Baja, Boothe said. Just like that smelly, initial creature, this baby whale was definitely starting to rot. Depending on where you were standing with the wind it was fine or horrible, Sip told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. It was a bit of a drive, but worth it for the learning opportunities for our students. See more on Oregon Coast Whales So how rare is this sort of coincidence? Is the second whale connected to the first somehow? It's a pretty rare happening but definitely just a coincidence, and no, this is not connecting the two in any way. There's no mass die-off out there, though the conspiracy nuts are going to have a field day with this one no matter what. Boothe said it is a major surprise to her as well. When the winds blow out of the west, we often see animals that have been floating out at sea wash up on the beach, she said. Depending on the winds and currents it is not unusual for multiple animals to wind up washing ashore in the same place. Indeed, around the whale itself you can see a whole lot of tiny ocean debris. Recent wild waves have deposited much on the Oregon coast lately. MORE PHOTOS BELOW Hotels in Astoria - Where to eat - Astoria Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW Photo courtesy Rachel Sip Photo Seaside Aquarium More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. The Philippines, a frontline state in the Indo-Pacific as one of the tensest regions, stated that diplomatically is crucial. The summit in Davos shows the nation is smack dab in the most contested region caught in a power struggle between China and the US. Philippines Says South China Sea Issue 'Unavoidable' Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., at the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Switzerland, said that the Philippines cannot sit on the fence in the South China Sea conflict, as he answered a question by WEF President Borge Brende on the matter, Anadolu Agency reported. Marcos added the issue had occupied his thought as the tension flared concerning the Philippines. Controlling the most mineral-rich regions in the South China Sea has been in strife as China and the US co-opt its neighbors to engage China's claims in the region, per China US Focus. Due to this contest between the US and China wherein, US Navy warships and combat aircraft have done freedom of navigation, which Beijing opposes. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), whose members have vast maritime interests like the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan, and current members have claims too. In November 2002, the Declaration of Conduct concerning the South China Sea, co-signed by ASEAN and China, was the initial multilateral agreement concerning the issue. China's Vast Claims in the Indo-Pacific Region Most claims made by Beijing are premised on the 'nine-dash line,' which marks Chinese maps that are historical claims in the region. Read Also: J-20 Mighty Dragon First Images However, Manila won a case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016 that invalidated China's South China Sea expansion claims. The mainland government stresses the validity of its claims. Marcos, last Wednesday, told the panel at the economic summit that the region is constantly changing and fluxing due to quick changes in the area. Reacting fast to developments is unavoidable and responding the right way is crucial. He highlighted adhering to a peaceful foreign policy that goes side by side with the national interest of the Philippines. Recently on a state visit to China, he spoke to Xi Jinping concerning these tensions, cites Reuters. One of the points he underscored is the South China Sea issue needs discussion that places it in the language of diplomacy, which is crucial to reach an understanding. Avoiding it will be detrimental to a good relationship. In a recent state visit to China, the Philippine leader said that as the state head of a frontline state, it is part of his job to bring up the matter to his Chinese counterpart. It was his first official visit early in January after winning the elections. Recent activity by China led the Philippines to bolster its presence as new building activities in the South China Sea are allegedly underway. A statement released by the Philippines Department of Defense mentioned any illegal occupation in the West Philippine Sea or attempts to reclaim any part of the Pag-asa Island. It is called a part of the country that should not be encroached on by any nation. But the mainland government denied such activities in the region. The Philippines' presence in Davos indicates its role in the Indo-Pacific region, which is intricate in South China Sea geopolitics. Related Article: France To Build 2 Submarines for Exploration Rights @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Following Great Barrington, North Adams and Lenox, smaller Berkshire towns such as Alford and Washington are attempting to alter their bylaws to regulate short-term rentals. The planning boards in Alford and Washington are both moving toward developing formal rules on short-term rentals. The idea is to make cost of living more affordable for current residents in the towns, while maintaining the towns character. Alford, which has a population of about 500, currently does not have a short-term rental bylaw. Planning Board Chair Larry Gadd said the towns bylaws do not allow for short-term rentals by omission. The proposed changes by the board include only allowing town residents people who vote in town to offer short-term rentals such as AirBnb or Vrbo. You have to be an Alford resident to do it. You have to be here more than six months out of the year and be a legal resident here, Gadd said. You cant be a snowbird really. You cant be a Florida resident and vote in Florida and do it here. You have to vote here. The purpose is to allow people who want or need the extra income to do it on a limited basis, Gadd continued. That way we avoid people building or buying houses just for the purpose of short-term rental, because we want to keep the community the community and not a hotel. According to Gadd, last weeks public hearing in Alford was civil. I expected a more contentious thing, he said. Public discussion of short-term rentals has been contentious elsewhere, including in Great Barrington. In June of last year, Great Barrington voters approved a short-term rental bylaw that restricts rental days to 150 a year and a tax on the rentals that would go toward affordable housing needs. In 2019, Lenox voters OK'd a plan limiting short-term rentals to 75 days a year, with an option for homeowners to apply for 35 more. And in December of last year, North Adams approved an ordinance requiring that short-term rentals register with the city and be inspected annually, as well as allowing short-term rentals at owner-occupied properties by right without a special permit in nearly all zones of the city, among other stipulations. But Alford and Washington, as well as West Stockbridge, which is considering new short-term rental regulations, are considerably smaller in population than North Adams, Great Barrington and Lenox, which dictates how the conversation is framed. Joe Roy, the chair of West Stockbridges Vision Committee, recounted a November 2022 forum on the possibility of short-term rental changes with town residents. The conversation on short-term rentals dealt with a range of questions about the needs of many residents who have a desire to add accessory dwelling units for additional family members or possible rental units, Roy wrote in an email. There was considerable concern about the effects of residential uses evolving into commercial uses [in residential districts] by having lots and structures becoming hotels in residential zones and how that may affect the rural character of our town. West Stockbridge has a population of roughly 1,200. Executive Director of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Thomas Matuszko said that the BRPC does not have a formal position on short-term rentals. Its an interesting issue because on the one side, this may be a good way for community property owners to get some revenue, especially if theres an older couple and their children have moved out of the house, theyve got a spare room or two, but theyre having a hard time paying the property taxes, Matuszko said. At the same time, if theres a plethora of short-term rentals, they could have a negative impact on a communitys housing stock by taking a lot of the houses and impacting affordable housing in the town. Its a mixed bag. Theres a balance that needs to be struck, and thats what the towns are trying to do, Matuszko added. One of Alfords bylaw changes includes setting up fines for people who illegally host short-term rentals. As Gadd points out, its difficult to enforce a rule when there are no penalties in writing. There are issues with the health department where they have to be inspected, there are tax issues, they should be paying tax on this money, all kinds of things rolled into this bylaw, Gadd said. This is the planning board bylaw, theres also a town bylaw, that will have other things in it like what the penalty is if you dont follow the rules that have been established. Gadd said the town is aware that people currently have short-term rentals set up even though they arent supposed to. Once the Select Board votes on the new bylaw, the issue will be taken up by voters at the town meeting. Were trying to get all the objections taken care of now so that the town meeting does not become a free-for-all, Gadd said. Washington, which has a population of about 500 and is a town where more than two-thirds of the land is either municipal- or state-owned, is currently zoned residential and agricultural only. Town Planning Board Chairman Don Gagnon said that the proposed bylaw changes are meant to provide guidelines on short-term rentals, which are currently unregulated in Washington. The reason for the STR is to put some guardrails around how to do it, Gagnon said. It just allows people, if they are going to do it. Youve got to play by these rules. Those rules arent public yet, Gagnon said. Were close. Once we vote on it, it would be something we can share, he said. The purpose of the new regulations is to support and promote the town as an attractive travel destination, to provide a range of accommodations for the town visitors and guests, to preserve and protect the single family character of the town, and to enable residents to earn extra money from their properties to better afford to live here, maintain their properties and contribute to the community, Gagnon said. The BRPC advised Washington on the matter. Weve been working with the planning board in Washington for several months now and they do have a draft, but there is a public process the town has to go through, Matuszko said. That does include a formal public hearing. Washington is not quite at that stage yet. They have not gone to their public hearing yet. Thatll happen a little bit later this spring, with the intent of having it voted on at town meeting in the spring. An enraged man living in Boston, Massachusetts, got arrested after he got nabbed trying to hire a contract killer to kill his wife and loverboy. His estranged wife left him to be with her boyfriend, which made the 46-year-old man very angry enough to have them fixed permanently. Man Engages in Contract To Kill Estranged Wife, Her Boyfriend The wife leaves her husband for her boyfriend was enough to drive him to extremes. Based on details disclosed on November 2022, the man, identified as Mohammed Chowdhury, reached out to someone to help him kill his wife, who later approached the police. Information from the US Attorney's office for the District of Massachusetts reveals that the man had already paid for the job. But the man did not carry out the murder was not done because he only took the money and did not carry out the job. The report said that Chowdhury wanted the targets to be dead as soon as possible, and he even assured the payment, saying that if he had not had enough, then he was even willing to steal to get the money for it. More disclosures from the attorney's office later added that a setup was done by federal law enforcement when the contact information of the suspect was obtained. An undercover agent completed the sting by acting as the hitman, per Yahoo. Between December 2022 and January 2023, remarks from the Attorney's Office stated that the suspect saw the agents pretending to be contract killers and associates in a plot to have his estranged spouse and her boyfriend killed for what they did. Read Also: Brooklyn Girl Dies in Burning Home on Sister's 1st Birthday Chowdhury claimed that she kept him from seeing their kids, so he wanted his wife and her boyfriend to be robbed and beaten to prevent him from being named as the suspect. He also asked how they could make the bodies disappear to hide the murder. Details about the hit on the man's spouse show a cost of $4,000 for each target, but a $500 deposit was agreed on. Chowdhury then provided information about his estranged wife and her boyfriend, including their home and workplaces. On Tuesday, January 17, the attorney's office informed the Boston man met with undercover agents to receive his initial deposit. He got arrested at that same meeting by the undercover feds. Suspect Charged with Murder-for-Hire Authorities charged Chowdhury with a murder-for-hire with a court date set on January 20. Comments from the attorney's office said the suspect, if proven guilty, could spend ten years in prison, with three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. An abuse prevention order was issued in October 2019 to stop abusing the separated wife, stop any contact, and mostly to prevent Chowdhury from getting physically close to her. Later on, according to the Attorney's office, the suspect pleaded to sufficient evidence with a continuance with no findings. An enraged man from Boston got caught trying to hire a contract killer to target his wife and her boyfriend in a murder plot. Related Article: Who is Kelsey Turner: Ex-Playboy Model Accused of Killing California Psychiatrist @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Russia has started the production of new chassis meant for the Tor-M2, and Buk-M3, remarked a source. These air defense batteries will be mounted on tracked chassis from the Mytishchi machine plant in a statement. It is used by Kalashnikov too. Tor-M2, Buk-M3 To Be Equipped with New Chassis Last January 18, the Mytishchi machine plant management announced orders for 2022 had been complied with, according to Bulgarian Military. The outlet notes that all the quotas for the year 2022 will include those for export in the final delivery. But the media did not say how units were for Russian use and what number was for export to other nations ordering this various military hardware. Kalashnikov disclosed the tracked chassis for the Tor and Buk variants is scheduled for 2023 and 2024, which are part of orders by the Russian government, states Army Recognition. Manufacturing the spare parts for the two defense batteries is part of the arrangement. One more announcement from the factory says that all other damaged chassis from the front will be repaired. In the last year, the firm has not revealed much about the data of the finances of the company throughout 2022. But the data is expected by the middle of this year, but the company posted the results for 2021. Details show the official capital of the Mytishchi Machine-Building Plant is estimated at 30.5 million USD. But in the same year posted, there are more losses than gains which is 1.7 million USD. Read Also: Russia Showcases Defense Systems at Zhuhai Air Show 2022 Tor and Buk Surface-to-Air Missile Systems The duo of anti-aircraft missile systems made in Russia saw service in the 1980s; still used now, built to defend any airspace from marauding planes, helicopters, drones or UAVs, cruise missiles, and smart bombs. Tor is for the shorted ranged defense against incoming missiles, and the Buk is the medium-range protection type. When combined, both offer a layered defense of short to medium, which complements, cites Military Today. The Tor is a short-range missile system, while the Buk is a medium-range missile system. Both systems are designed to counter aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles, and smart bombs. Russian-Made Aerial Defense Team Such a family of missile defense systems is not only for ground artillery units, but they have navalised versions too. A shorter-ranged Tor can hit targets up to 12 kilometers, but the BUK can intercept up to 70 kilometers, depending on the target. Missiles launched by these two-system travel at different velocities; for example, the Tor can reach Mach 2.5, but the Buk can rocket up to Mach 8. The Tor flies lower at 6,000 meters up, but the Buk reaches 35,000 meters. Buk-M3 vs HIMARS in Ukraine Buk is crucial for Russian forces and is an important system for aerial defense in Ukraine. Russian MoD reveals the M3 can block the notorious US HIMARS used by the AFU. Last year, one Russian operator of the long-range Buk said that the systems could track a HIMARS battery and fire three missile salvos. It allows the tracking of the projectile from it. Utilizing the Tor-M2 and Buk-M3 with the new tracked chassis for these air defense units will significantly upgrade the system. Related Article: Russian Buk-M3 Missile Defense System Could Destroy HIMARS </iframe</p> @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. By promising to help users file financial aid forms more quickly and easily and deliver billions in savings to teenagers who needed help her business plan had the halo of doing well while doing good. It eventually added a dot-org web address for good measure. I thought it would be an advocacy organisation, said Carly Gillis, who was Franks director of content and community for several months in 2018. A real David and Goliath story. Javices story is an archetypal tale of late-stage startup hustle culture a teenage prodigy turned Ivy League social enterprise maven and shape-shifting saviour of higher education. Or so she would have the world believe. 100 most creative people Javices career helping others began, in her telling, on the border of Thailand and Myanmar. She spent time volunteering there between terms at her private high school in Westchester County, New York. The work helped inspire her to create PoverUp, an organisation that promoted microfinance and helped other students learn about reducing poverty through business. About 50 schools were joining her network every month or month and a half, she said on a podcast in 2011. Javice has said she needed help herself while she was an undergraduate at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where she quickly drew notice by appearing on Fast Companys 2011 list of the 100 most creative people in business. There, she was on financial aid, and she found the forms confusing. So did her parents, according to an interview she gave to Diversity Woman magazine including her father, Didier, who has worked on Wall Street for more than 35 years, with 11 years at Goldman Sachs and three at Merrill Lynch, according to his LinkedIn profile. Javice, her father and her mother, Natalie Rosin, did not respond to questions about how Javice had qualified for financial aid and the struggles to obtain it. According to state legal filings, Javice incorporated her first company, TAPD, in 2013. There is no mention of it on her LinkedIn page, but she has spoken about this pre-Frank startup in the past. In a now-deleted interview on Medium from 2020, she spoke of the attempt at TAPD to come up with a better way to judge the creditworthiness of people just getting started in life. Credit scoring involves complex state and federal regulations, and after 18 months, Javice realised that building a new system and complying with the rules would be too expensive. I fired all my employees, she said in the Medium interview. It was the worst thing Ive ever had to do. A lot of my employees were close friends and still wont talk with me to this day. planned to pay her a $US20 million retention fee if she stuck around for a stretch of time after the merger closed. Credit: Daniel Tepper From all of this struggle, another startup was born. In 2016, a message appeared on frankfafsa.com promising Maximum financial aid, guaranteed, and adding: If we dont save you at least $US1,000 of tuition, well refund you. Go Premium for $US10/month. Cancel anytime. At the bottom was an invitation to join a waitlist. Behind the scenes, the US Department of Education had quickly taken notice. It was not pleased. FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a registered trademark, and the department didnt take kindly to Franks use of it. In a 2018 settlement agreement, which a financial-aid expert, Mark Kantrowitz, unearthed via a Freedom of Information Act request, Frank agreed to hand its frankfasa.com web address over to the department. All along, Javice was making frequent media appearances. In December 2017, she wrote an opinion piece for The New York Times with the headline The 8 Most Confusing Things About FAFSA. The piece contained so many errors that it required an eight-sentence correction. Nevertheless, over the next two years, publications continued to shower praise on her. A Business Insider article from October 2018 that appeared on Yahoo Finance had a headline proclaiming, A 26-Year-Old Founder Has a Solution to What Bill Gates Calls an Unnecessary Roadblock to College and Her Startup Is Helping Students Get Thousands Off Their Tuition. 30 under 30 List accolades turned up in bunches. Javice appeared on the 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 finance list. Then she made the Crains New York Business 40 Under 40 list. Javice has done her homework, the Crains article said. Not everyone agreed. The next year, Wesley Whistle, who worked at the New America think tank at the time, wrote a blog post calling out Frank and Javice for promising help with pandemic relief for students, even though Frank wasnt working with schools directly and the companys tool might not have been of any use to many students. Not long after that, the Federal Trade Commission sent a warning letter to Frank noting that its purported assistance to students consists primarily of providing a form letter that may lack the information a student would need to apply for one of the grants from his or her school. The company made a big push to add online courses to its offerings. That was a key element of a November 2019 investor presentation, stamped Draft & Confidential, a copy of which was reviewed by the Times. Students spend $US400 billion on tuition, and ethically serving this market gives us access to extraordinary opportunity, the presentation said. According to the investor presentation, the pipeline of schools wanting to do business with Frank was exploding. There were no school names in the slide deck; a small footnote in a hard-to-read colour said the company was precluded from providing partner names. References, however, were available upon request. Competitors and financial aid experts were watching all of this with increasingly arched eyebrows. But they were shocked when JPMorgan announced in September 2021 that it was acquiring Frank. Today is my first day employed by someone else, ever, Javice told CNBC after the announcement. I mean, it still feels very much like, pinch me, did this really happen? Observers didnt believe it had really happened. Mark Salisbury, co-founder of TuitionFit, a service that helps families research the true price of college using real financial aid awards from other students, did some math on his late competitor. Salisbury, a former director of institutional research and assessment at Augustana College, estimates that 2 million students start college each year. Having done the FAFSA the first year, he figured, most families wouldnt seek help from a company such as Frank in subsequent years. So if Frank had served 5 million people in just a half-decade, it would have captured a sizable share of new college students who needed financial aid. JPMorgan boss Jamie Dimon called the Frank acquisition a huge mistake on a January 13 quarterly earnings call. Credit: AP Reaching all of those people within the year that they might seek help, however, isnt easy. To break through all of the noise on the internet, that is incredibly difficult to do, and it costs an insane amount of money to pull it off, Salisbury said. The promise unfulfilled So what could JPMorgan have seen in the company? Clearly, it liked Javice. In fact, the bank planned to pay her a $US20 million retention fee if she stuck around for a stretch of time after the merger closed. If JPMorgan wanted a pipeline of soon-to-be-educated young adults, it was paying $US35 per name $US175 million divided by those 5 million customers. To pay that much, it had to have a lot of confidence that its marketing team would be able to persuade Frank customers to do business with the bank and stick with it for decades. Soon after the merger closed, the bank took its shot and sprayed a portion of Franks customer list with solicitations. Of 400,000 outbound emails, only 28 per cent arrived successfully in an inbox, compared with the usual 99 per cent delivery rate. Moreover, just 103 recipients clicked a link to Franks website. It was, as the bank put it in its legal filing, disastrous. An investigation ensued, and the bank dived into Javices Frank email account. There, it found a litigation mother lode. The messages, according to the bank, included copious evidence that she had hired a data-science professor to create fake information to prove to the bank that the millions of customers that Frank claimed to have were real. Highlights from the emails also included a Frank engineers questioning of Javices data manipulation request. She responded that she didnt think anyone would end up in an orange jumpsuit over it, according to JPMorgans complaint against Javice and Amar. JPMorgan is not buying Javices privacy argument. The banks CEO, Jamie Dimon, called the Frank acquisition a huge mistake on a January 13 quarterly earnings call. That week, it also shut down Franks website and erased the news release announcing the deal from its own website. There are always lessons; we always will make mistakes, Dimon said on CNBC on Thursday. I tell our people, we make mistakes, its OK, and when we know what all the lessons are, Ill tell you what they were. None of Franks investors or the people Javice has named as mentors returned messages or would comment on her behalf, and she did not offer up names of people to call. But one of them did offer a comment through a spokesperson. In a 2018 interview in PopSugar, Javice described Bobby Turner, founder of an investment firm, as one of the most impactful people in my life so far. When she was having a hard time, she told the publication, Turner, who was an investor in Frank, would make her promise to do three things every day. Loading And hes literally like, Well, you need to meditate, go to the gym and have sex, she said in the interview. Randy James, a spokesperson for Turner, said he had been a major benefactor of Whartons social impact programs and served as a mentor to many students and alumni, including Javice. Bobby shared his views on a number of topics related to business and work-life balance, though he did not make the comments she attributed to him in a 2018 interview, James said. The allegations against Ms. Javice regarding Frank are troubling, he added, and if true, would represent a serious breach of trust and violation of the law. Before you start shopping around for cheaper electricity prices with a different energy provider, it may pay to ask your current provider if they can offer you a better deal first. Failing that, you will be faced with myriad price comparison websites including commercial sites, some of which will peddle you a limited range of choices. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is on the lookout for comparison websites which fail to disclose commercial relationships, saying these are an enforcement priority. Household electricity bills are set to increase. Jessica Kirby, director of campaigns and communications at Choice, says the new year is a good time to make sure your energy plan still meets your needs and budget. If youve been with the same provider for a while, she says there is a risk you could be paying the price for loyalty. Her advice is to first contact your current provider to see if they can give you a better deal. Energy providers typically want to keep their customers and may offer you a better plan to dissuade you from leaving. Four men have been arrested after Sydney police pursuit Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss Hundreds of private and social housing apartments will be built on an empty block of land in Sydneys inner south, despite a community push for the site to be retained for public dwellings. The NSW government is planning to build 300 new homes, about one third of which will be social housing, on crown land on Elizabeth Street in Redfern where public housing was demolished in 2013. The Redfern development will include 300 new homes, about one third of which are social housing. Credit: NSW government Planning Minister Anthony Roberts said community housing provider Bridge Housing and developer Capella Capital would help deliver the $230 million project opposite Redfern Oval, which includes a 3500 square metre community facility. Were transforming Sydneys inner city to deliver multiple benefits to the local community, including much-needed new housing close to jobs, public transport and open space, Roberts said. Police have staged the dramatic rescue of a man who was the target of an alleged abduction attempt on the northern beaches. Neighbours raised the alarm after a man was allegedly set upon in Manly on Sunday morning. Police were told the man was assaulted in Oyama Avenue around 9.30am before being bundled into a Toyota Hilux. A witness told Nine News she saw four men in balaclavas pounce on the man and beat him repeatedly with a crowbar before fleeing with him in the vehicle. The daughter of the armed anti-authoritarians who shot dead two Queensland police officers has spoken for the first time about the tragedy, saying she believed her family were the gentlest people and that her mother did not like guns. Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train were at their secluded property in the Wieambilla bushland, about 3 hours drive west of Brisbane, on December 12 when they shot and killed two police and a neighbour. Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold were shot dead after arriving at the Wains Road property following a NSW welfare check regarding Nathaniel. Two of their colleagues were also shot at, but managed to escape. The Trains also killed neighbour Alan Dare, who had rushed to help after hearing gunshots and seeing a fire through the scrub. A man has been released from police custody after a woman was found dead in Melbournes outer-east on Saturday evening, and police are no longer treating the death as suspicious. The woman, who has yet to be formally identified, was found in a house on John Street in Lilydale at about 5.30pm on Saturday after police responded to a call for help. A man has been arrested after a woman was found dead in Lilydale on Saturday night. Credit: Louise Kennerley A 46-year-old man was arrested by police but later released following the results of a post-mortem. Police are not treating the death as suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner. Two police officers have been charged with assault after a man was injured during an arrest in Melbournes south-east last February. A 35-year-old male senior constable and a 45-year-old male senior constable from the Transit and Public Safety Command were charged with unlawful assault and unlawful assault with a weapon and will appear in court at a later date. Two officers have been charged with assault over an arrest that ended with a 58-year-old man being taken to hospital in February 2022. Credit: Paul Rovere Victoria Police suspended the officers pending an investigation in February when a 58-year-old man was taken to hospital with injuries after he was arrested in Narre Warren South in the early hours of February 4. The man was later discharged from hospital. At the time, the Victoria Police professional standards unit began an internal investigation into the incident and the states anti-corruption watchdog, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, monitored the investigation. President Joe Biden's personal attorney and a prosecutor announced on Saturday evening that the FBI discovered more confidential materials at his Wilmington, Delaware residence on Friday. This is the fourth time in the Joe Biden scandal that classified documents or files have been uncovered at a private residence belonging to Biden since November, The voluntary inspection of Biden's classified documents lasted over 13 hours. The Department of Justice took "six items consisting of documents with classification markings and surrounding material," according to a statement released by his attorney, Bob Bauer. Joseph D. Fitzpatrick, assistant US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, confirmed that "the FBI on Friday executed a planned, consensual search of the President's residence in Wilmington, Delaware," per CNBC. According to Bauer, some of the materials were from the period when Biden represented Delaware in the Senate, which was from 1973 until 2009. Some things were during his 2009-2017 time as vice president in the Obama administration. Lawyers for Biden and the White House said that FBI investigators also took some handwritten notes from Biden's time as VP without a warrant. Bauer did not specify in his statement on Saturday where exactly in the Wilmington house the Biden classified documents were discovered. Former classified paperwork was located in the garage and an adjacent storage area of the house. More Classified Documents Being Discovered in Biden's Possession as Investigation Roll The search demonstrates that federal prosecutors are moving quickly with their Joe Biden scandal investigation into the secret materials discovered in Biden's possession. Robert Hur, a special counsel appointed during the procedure, is looking into how the president and his staff handled secret papers from the Obama administration that were recently discovered in Biden's possession. The White House says that before Friday's search by the Justice Department, Biden's legal team found all of the relevant records. According to publicly disclosed material, federal law enforcement agents searched Biden's home locations for government papers for the first time in the recent search. Read Also: New Zealand PM Resigns; Here's Why The investigation into the president's potential unlawful removal and keeping of classified records found at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, DC, and in his Delaware home was launched one week after Attorney General Merrick Garland designated US Attorney Robert Hur as special counsel, per Fox News. Pen Biden Center, a Washington, DC-based think tank, was raided on November 2, 2022, and classified documents were discovered on the premises. These documents were finally made public this past week. Trump Blasts DOJ's Handling of Joe Biden Scandal The political and legal risks for the president have been raised by the Joe Biden scandal, despite his insistence that the prior finding of secret information at his home and old office will ultimately be considered insignificant. Republicans have drawn parallels between the investigation and the continuing inquiry into former President Donald Trump's handling of secret materials after he left office. The White House has said President Biden's staff has been cooperative with investigators by handing over the requested materials. Trump refused to cooperate until the FBI raided his Florida property in August. Donald Trump has criticized the way the Justice Department's investigators handles the Joe Biden scandal differently ever since the Biden classified documents were found, as reported by Reuters. Earlier this month, Trump remarked about the Joe Biden scandal on social media: "When is the F.B.I. going to raid the many homes of Joe Biden, perhaps even the White House?" Related Article: US Border Crisis Update @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Two women, including the mother of a West Coast Eagles player, have died after a horrific boat crash south of Perth on Saturday night. About 10pm, a boat with four people on board, collided with a red navigation marker in the Mandurah estuary. In the collision, two women were thrown from the vessel. Debbie Burdon, 54, was recovered from the water but was unable to be revived and died at the scene. A second woman, Kylie Bazzo, 52, was found nearly 24 hours later floating in the water near Creery Island. Australia will make its first major investment in sea mines since the Vietnam War, spending up to $1 billion on high-tech underwater weapons to deter China and other potential adversaries from sending ships and submarines into the nations waters. Sea mines are self-contained explosive devices that can be placed in key strategic choke points, such as straits and harbours, to blow up encroaching enemy naval vessels. The federal government is set to make a major investment in sea mines for the first time in decades. Credit: AP The weapons have been used in virtually every maritime conflict since the 14th century, but fell out of favour with Western naval leaders in recent decades, including in Australia. China has built up a stockpile of up to 100,000 sea mines as part of its massive military expansion. Monterey Park, California: A gunman killed 10 people at a ballroom dance studio amid Lunar New Year celebrations and then probably tried but failed to target a second dance hall, authorities said. An hours long manhunt led police to surround and enter a white van, but it was not immediately clear whether the suspect was inside. Daylight breaks after a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California overnight on Saturday (local time). Credit: AP The shooting and manhunt sent a wave of fear through Asian American communities in the Los Angeles area and cast a shadow over Lunar New Year festivities around the country. Other cities sent extra officers to watch over the celebrations. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said the shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park left five women and five men dead and wounded another 10 people. Then 20 to 30 minutes later, a man with a gun entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra. Washington: After closing on the house from The Goonies, Behman Zakeri set the propertys first guideline: Guests are encouraged to do the truffle shuffle when entering. The dance, which Chunk was forced to perform to access the house in the 1985 movie, is not the only nod to The Goonies fans might spot on Zakeris new lawn. He also plans to re-create the contraption that opened the propertys gate, which included a bowling ball, a balloon, a chicken and a football. The 1896 Oregon home that features in the Steven Spielberg film The Goonies. has sweeping views of the Columbia River flowing into the Pacific Ocean. Credit: AP Zakeri, a 46-year-old entrepreneur from Kansas, first watched The Goonies at age 8 and has since seen it more than 100 times. The adventure story not only led to some of his favourite childhood memories, but also influenced his work ethic. In buying the Astoria, Oregon, property for $US1.65 million ($2.37 million), Zakeri hopes to preserve the films legacy. Somebody that was a true Goonie needed to have it to kind of make sure that it didnt go away, Zakeri said. If the wrong person buys The Goonies house, what if they do what Troys father wanted to do in the movie and bulldoze it and turn it into a golf course or something? Too many peoples hearts would break. Ather Energy's Chief Business Officer (CBO), Ravneet Phokela, told IANS that the company is increasing manufacturing production and intends to add 1 million units of capacity to its existing 400,000 annual capacity. Leading EV player Ather Energy said on Sunday that it is in discussions with several state governments for the establishment of an extra factory to accommodate the demand as the adoption of electric two-wheelers stabilises somewhat following several fire mishaps last year. Ather Energy, based in Bengaluru, reported sales of 9,187 units in December 2022, a 389% increase (on-year growth). "To drive faster adoption of EVs, we continue investing in public fast-charging networks. With around 1,000 chargers installed across the country, we already have the largest fast-charging network for two-wheelers in the country, and this number continues to grow," Phokela said to IANS. The national and state governments have shown much support for the EV industry to hasten adoption. Phokela claims that despite an almost 40 per cent industry decline in two-wheeler sales, they concluded 2022 with strong sales momentum and said, "our December retails climbed by 26 per cent over November." Also Read Ather Energy may venture into making electric motorcycles: Co-founder How is Switch powering up green mobility in India? Sharp rise in e-scooter registrations, penetration close to inflexion point Ather Energy, Greaves Cotton exit EV association SMEV, choose Siam Ather Energy takes on Ola, Okinawa, opens second manufacturing facility AEL's strongest growth is ahead of us, says Gautam Adani on FPO Ugly truth of layoffs: Firms invest huge resources to rebuild workforce Railways freight revenue estimate for FY24 may go up to Rs 2 trillion Hero Electric looks to raise nearly Rs 2,000 crore to drive expansion Global demand concerns likely to weigh on energy markets, says RIL The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India- II (FAME-II) policy, the introduction of PLI schemes for manufacturers, and a lower GST rate are just a few of the programmes that have been implemented to support the government's long-term goals of making India a centre for the production of electric vehicles. The central government has launched a number of progressive initiatives that aim to increase both supply and demand. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a meeting of his Council of Ministers on January 29 before the Parliament's budget session which is going to start from January 31. In 2023, this will be the first meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Modi government. All Union Ministers, Ministers of State (Independent Charge) and Ministers of State will participate in this meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting of the Council of Ministers, called before the last full budget of the tenure of the Modi government, is being termed crucial. On February 1, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union budget. According to sources, in the meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi can give special instructions to all the ministers regarding the budget session. Since this will be the last full budget of the Modi government, the Prime Minister would want that after the presentation of the budget, all the ministers should work tirelessly to highlight its public welfare aspects to take them to the public. Because along with the assembly elections to be held in nine states of the country this year, the party would also like to take the advantage of this budget in the Lok Sabha elections to be held next year. Programmes related to the chairmanship of G-20 that India has got can also be discussed in the meeting. About 200 programmes related to G-20 are to be held at more than 50 places across the country. Also Read Forward-looking, futuristic education system being created through NEP: PM PM Narendra Modi urges party leaders to make winter session more productive CPI(M), TMC hit out at PM over claims of digital access for public in India RBI MPC: Here is what experts have to say about the policy announcement Banking sector medium of good governance, better service delivery: PM Modi Wrestling Federation's general council meeting in Ayodhya called off Manik Saha holds campaign in Agartala, says people have faith in BJP Mumbai's air quality index in 'poor' category, Delhi at 'very poor' 343 infrastructure projects show cost overruns of Rs 4.5 lakh crore Centre blocks BBC documentary on Gujarat riots from airing in India Apart from G-20 countries, 14 international organizations like IMF and World Bank will also participate in these programmes, so the Indian government does not want to leave any stone unturned to make these programmes grand. The government also wants to ensure maximum public participation in these programmes. In the meeting, many ministers can also give presentation regarding the functioning of their respective ministries. As there are reports of reshuffle and expansion in the Modi cabinet, this can also be discussed in the meeting. If sources are to be believed, the exercise of cabinet reshuffle can begin within a few days after this meeting to be held on January 29. Overall, this first meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Modi government to be held in 2023 is going to be very important in many ways. --IANS stp/uk/ Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Patna to attend a farmers' conclave organised by the Bihar BJP on February 22, the birth anniversary of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati, who was an ascetic and a peasant leader. At a joint press conference, state BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Thakur said that Shah will attend the farmers' convention next month. Jaiswal also denied speculations that Swami Sahajanand Saraswati's birth anniversary was being celebrated as a strategy to consolidate the party's upper-caste support base. "Swami Sahajanand Saraswati's contributions have been acknowledged by historians around the world. Please do not view him through a narrow prism," said Jaiswal. The BJP leaders also termed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as anti-farmer, referring to the violence on January 11 in Buxar, where a peasants' agitation over compensation demand for acquired land for a thermal power project turned violent. When the CM recently visited Buxar during his 'Samadhan Yatra', he did not even bother to meet the affected farmers, they alleged. Also Read Bihar oppn leader Vijay Sinha to hold 'Janta Darbar' every Tuesday in Patna Aiming to unite Oppn, Nitish, Lalu to meet Sonia Gandhi in Delhi today Two air passengers arrested in Patna for travelling in drunken state Shah in Bihar to prepare for 2024 LS Polls as BJP comes up with new slogan Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to skip 'Namami Gange' event chaired by PM Modi Budget session of Telangana Legislative Assembly to begin on February 3 Joshimath land subsidence: 863 buildings with cracks identified so far We want to partner in building base for defence industries in India: France Leela Palace cheat impersonates UAE royalty, dupes hotel of over Rs 20 lakh UGC proposes plan to let students access libraries, labs in other colleges It is because of the lacklustre attitude of the state government that Saraswati is a less-known personality in Bihar. It must hand over the defunct Bihta Bazar Samiti and its land to the central government so that it can be developed into an advanced farmers' facilitation centre to be named after Sahajanand Saraswati," said Thakur. A one-day meeting of the BJP state executive will be held in Lucknow on Sunday to chalk out the strategy to implement the central leadership's plans for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP's win on maximum Lok Sabha seats of Uttar Pradesh had helped the party in forming the government at the Centre in 2019 and 2014. The party hopes to win all 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh this time to further consolidate its position. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be the chief guest in the first session of the state executive meeting, for which more than 700 delegates have been invited from across the state and the party's central body. Apart from state office-bearers, BJP central office-bearers and Union Ministers who hail from Uttar Pradesh have been invited. District presidents and heads of the different wings of the party have also been invited. The BJP, according to the party spokesman, will discuss a political resolution in which the party will appreciate the achievements of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in the Centre and Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh. Also Read CM Adityanath receives death threat on UP police's WhatsApp helpline Australian investors meet UP CM Yogi to discuss opportunities in state UP govt plans 300 km 'immune belt' to check lumpy virus spread in animals UP CM Yogi orders flood alert in 10 districts over rising river water level Modernisation of police force improved law and order in UP, says CM Yogi Maharashtra govt positive about OPS for teachers, govt employees: CM Shinde Centre approves appointment of Vikram Dev Dutt as next DGCA chief UP Madrasa Board head writes to PM on renewing Madrasa Modernization Scheme Odisha cabinet nod for 9 piped water supply projects worth over Rs 1,287 cr No night flights at Lucknow airport for four months from February 23 The party will also congratulate the leadership of Modi and Yogi for the party's win in the Lok Sabha and Assembly bypoll in Uttar Pradesh in the past few months. A strategy for winning the coming urban local body elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be discussed. "The party has a challenge ahead to win those Lok Sabha seats it lost in 2019. The progress of Lok Sabha pravas yojna running for such constituencies is likely to be discussed in the meeting. The party, in the political resolution, will certainly target the Opposition for fake propaganda against the BJP government," said a party functionary. "As discussed in the national executive meet, the party's wings have to run mass contact programme in border areas. Morcha heads could be given some directives in this regard in the meeting. Uttar Pradesh's several districts share border with Nepal," said another party functionary. --IANS amita/khz/ Elon Musk may be someone who can't stop tweeting. The Tesla and Twitter CEO recently admitted that he may have ignored pleas to stop tweeting during the securities fraud trial that aims to investigate if Musk is responsible for Tesla losing millions of dollars in investor money while taking the company private. Elon Musk made the tweets in question in 2018, when he reportedly secured the funding he needed to turn Tesla into a private company. Elon Musk 2018 Tweets Details Elon Musk stated during his time at the stand that he supposedly continued to tweet about his attempt to take Tesla private despite the many pleas urging him to stop doing so. According to a report from The Verge, lawyers for the plaintiffs peppered him with questions about the tweets he made at the time, with them working their way to his "funding secured" tweet from 2018 that became the main reason for his case. The trial is meant to determine whether the tweets Musk posted in 2018 about Taking Tesla private damaged the company's shareholders during a 10-day period leading up to Musk backing out of his plan to take the company private, per the South China Morning Post. The people who made the pleas to Musk to make him stop tweeting were Tesla's former board director Antonio Gracias and Tesla investors Ron Baron and Sam Teller, Musk's former de facto chief of staff, and other close associates. Read More: Researchers Study Generating Sustainable Electricity From Snow In Japan However, the damage was already done. By the time Musk tweeted his "funding secure" post, Tesla's stock trading halted after the tweets, which then became volatile for weeks, per CNBC. Musk later said he was in discussions with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and felt sure the funding would come through. Unfortunately, a deal never materialized, costing the Tesla investors that believed Musk's buyout would pull through to lose money. According to the Los Angeles Times, this period of volatility caused Tesla's market value to increase and decrease by $14 billion. As such, Tesla investors are working to portray Musk as a "reckless tweeter" who disregards good advice about the impact his public statements can have on Tesla's stock price and shareholders. However, Musk argued that it's difficult to link Tesla's stock price to his tweets, with him talking about one case wherein he tweeted his complaint about Tesla's stock being too high, only for it to go higher after the fact. Is Musk In The Wrong? Guhan Subramanian, a Harvard business professor that the plaintiffs called as an expert witness, found Musk's actions at the time an example of "egregious corporate governance," per the LA Times. Subramanian added that Musk's proposal "an extreme outlier regardless of it's real or not. He said that a CEO almost never announces a deal publicly until a long process involving a special committe of a board of directors is complete. He also mentioned that the board should be the one handling the buyout and not a company's CEO. However, Tesla's board is also to blame for not setting up measures that would protect the company from the repercussions of its CEO's tweets. Related Article: Elon Musk Fortune Shrinks by $182 Billion, Breaks Guinness World Record The number of enrolments in 2022 rose to 12.5 million from 9.2 million in 2021. The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) targeted towards unorganised sector workers saw the highest-ever takers in 2022 with enrolments rising 36 per cent. The figure crossed 10 million for the first time in a calendar year, data released by the finance ministry showed. Aadhaar-enabled enrollment, paperless on-boarding and closely working with other stakeholders have enabled PFRDA to achieve this number. The enrolments in 2022 grew by 81 per cent compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, when 6.9 million subscribers had enrolled for the pension scheme. A Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA) official said the high enrolment was because of the automation done for easy on-boarding of APY subscribers. Cumulatively, the majority of subscribers (82 per cent) have opted for a Rs 1,000 pension followed by 11 per cent opting for the highest pension amount of Rs 5,000 per month. The official said 30 years down the line, the amount would be too little to enable them to fulfil their basic necessities. PFRDA regularly holds consultations with public sector banks (PSBs), department of financial services, state-level bankers committee and lead district managers to review and improve the implementation of APY across the country, he added. Also Read Tax payers can no longer be a part of the Atal Pension Yojana: FinMin Universal Pension Scheme: New EPFO scheme may cover unorganised workers Proposed minimum assured-return scheme may fetch 2-7% rate of return BS Number Wise: Old scheme puts burden of employee pension on the states Changed and new rules for National Pension Scheme: All you need to know India increasing domestic oil and gas exploration: Hardeep Singh Puri Textile entrepreneurs hope for reduction in freight charges, cotton prices The gas paradox: Govt encouraging huge investment to push demand Noida gets investment intents worth Rs 5.86 trn ahead of investor summit India FTA can be clinched this year, but no more visa offers: UK minister The highest number of enrolments age-wise was from 21-25 years (28 per cent), accounting for 13.7 million subscribers, followed by 25-30 years (25 per cent) with 12.1 million subscribers. The least number of subscribers were those above 35 years (11.14 per cent). The beneficiaries of this scheme need to fulfil their current day-to-day requirements, thus hindering their ability to contribute a higher amount under the scheme, he added. A subscriber under the APY is required to make a monthly/quarterly/six monthly contribution of an amount determined by the pension chosen and the age of joining the scheme. The Centre launched the APY in 2015 to ensure minimum social security for unorganised sector workers. The minimum age of joining the scheme is 18 years and maximum age is 40 years. Till November 30, 2022, the top-five states in enrolments were Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are also the top-performing states in terms of women enrolments followed by West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. The subscriber will receive a government-guaranteed minimum pension of Rs 1,000, Rs 2,000, Rs 3,000, Rs 4,000 or Rs 5,000 per month. It will be paid after the age of 60 until death, depending on the contribution chosen. The three-day meeting, starting January 22, will see participation of key Indian business leaders, policymakers, senior executives representing G20 nations, in Gandhinagar, the capital of Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state Gujarat. The first meeting of Business 20 (B20) G20s business group will focus on key issues from climate action and building resilient global value chains to promoting financial inclusion and raising digitally inclusive society. B20 India will work through seven task forces and two action councils to realise the B20s strategic vision. The larger idea will be to translate the vision into policy deliverables on issues that have global relevance. The priorities during B20 India will be centred around the overall vision of RAISE: Responsible, Accelerated, Innovative, Sustainable and Equitable Businesses, the theme for B20 India, business lobby group Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said in a statement on Sunday. The government has designated CII as the B20 Secretariat. It will also lead and host B20 during India's G20 Presidency. The inception meeting will commence discussions on the identified priorities and will begin work towards formulating policy recommendations to be submitted to the G20, ahead of the Leaders Summit, the statement said. The three-day event is crucial as it will inaugurate the presidency work of all the task forces and action councils under B20. Also Read Inclusive digitisation: G20 nations need to adopt inter-operable platforms What does the G-20 presidency mean for India? 'US looking forward to support India's G20 presidency': Janet Yellen Energy colonialism, climate reparations: COP27 and key concepts to know With 'Soul of India' as key theme; India gets ready for G20 presidency India's G20 presidency: B20 meet in Gujarat to discuss climate, innovation Govt may not announce capital infusion for PSU banks in Budget: Sources Time to press accelerator with higher infra spend, inviting global capital Rationalised TDS framework, concessional I-T regime expected in Budget: EY J'khand govt launches water conservation scheme with over Rs 467 cr outlay B20 was established 13 years ago and is among the key engagement groups of G20, representing the priorities of businesses globally. The meet will see the participation of prominent business leaders such as N Chandrasekaran, chair, B20 India & chairman, Tata Sons; Sanjiv Bajaj, chairman & managing director, Bajaj Finserv Ltd; Michael Froman, vice chairman & president, strategic growth, Mastercard, and former US trade representative in the executive office of the president; Charles Rick Johnston, chair, Business at OECD (BIAC) and managing director, global government affairs, Citi Group; Christian Cahn von Seelen, member of the board and executive director, Volkswagen Group Sales India; and Emma Marcegaglia, chief executive officer & chair, Marcegaglia Holding, among others. India is currently holding the presidency of G20 for 2023, hosting the 18th edition of the summit. The first meeting of the Youth20 (Y20) group, being organised on the sidelines of the G20 summit, will be held in Assam's largest city Guwahati from February 6 to 8, an official statement said on Sunday. This is the first of the various meetings to be held on the five Y20 themes across India in a run-up to the final Youth20 Summit in August 2023, it said. "More than 250 delegates from across the world are expected to participate in the three-day event in Assam. It will focus on five themes of Future of Work; Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction; Peace Building and Reconciliation; Youth in Democracy and Health, Wellbeing and Sports," the Press Information Bureau (PIB) release said. Y20 is one of the eight official engagement groups under the G20 umbrella. The youth summit usually takes place some weeks prior to the traditional forum to know what the youths are thinking and incorporate their suggestions in their own policy proposals. The Y20 India Summit in 2023 would exemplify the country's youth-centric efforts and provide an opportunity to showcase its values and policy measures to the youth across the globe, the statement said. In order to create a participative and inclusive deliberation process in the run up to the Y20 meeting, over 50 universities and colleges across all districts of the state are organising seminars, workshops, debates and panel discussions in their campuses from January 19 onwards. Also Read Vivo Y02 smartphone with 5,000 mAh battery launched in India: Price, specs Union Min Anurag Thakur launches themes of Y20 summit at curtain raiser What does the G-20 presidency mean for India? 'US looking forward to support India's G20 presidency': Janet Yellen Another lotus blooms Bihar inks MoU with FSI for TOF field survey to promote agroforestry First B20 meet to focus on climate action, resilient global value chains India's G20 presidency: B20 meet in Gujarat to discuss climate, innovation Govt may not announce capital infusion for PSU banks in Budget: Sources Time to press accelerator with higher infra spend, inviting global capital Over 12,000 students are expected to participate in these events and each higher education institution will be also be organising awareness drive at 10 nearby schools to sensitise the schools about G20 groupings and functioning. A total of 400 participants, including prize winners of competitions from various university/college, will participate in the central event at IIT-Guwahati on February 7 and will be accordingly mentored for understanding Innovations and Industry-Academia linkages, the statement said. "They will also get an opportunity to interact with the international youth delegates to exchange ideas for a shared future," it added. North Korea saw a significant decline in humanitarian assistance from the international community last year amid prolonged border closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, data showed Sunday. Yonhap North Korea saw a significant decline in humanitarian assistance from the international community last year amid prolonged border closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, data showed Sunday. The financial tracking service of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed that assistance to Pyongyang from international organizations and other agencies in 2022 reached around $2.3 million, down sharply from $14 million the previous year. Switzerland's provision for the reclusive country last year through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Swiss Development Cooperation had accounted for 69.5 percent of the total funding, or $1.6 million. Sweden provided $513,927 to the North last year via the Swedish Red Cross, while the Norwegian Red Cross in Oslo contributed $199,601. Data showed that several countries, including Canada, Finland, France and Germany, had offered contributions to the North in 2021 but did not provide any last year. Switzerland will contribute another $1.2 million through UNICEF this year for "essential nutrition services" in the impoverished country, according to the data shown on the OCHA website as of Jan. 4. (Yonhap) The company confirmed the investigation in an email but offered no further details, other than that it was cooperating fully, according to an Abbott spokesman. The US Department of Justice has opened an investigation into operations at the Abbott Nutrition infant formula plant in Michigan that shut down over sanitation problems early last year, causing a lengthy and widespread infant formula shortage. In February, the agency urged the company to recall Similac and other widely used infant formulas, FDA records show. Abbott voluntarily ceased production at the plant for several months. The Michigan plant came to national attention in 2022 after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while fielding reports of infants sickened by formula produced there, found strikingly unsanitary conditions, including puddles of water on the floor near production lines. The investigation was previously reported by The Wall Street Journal. The Department of Justice declined to comment. Baby formula was already scarce because of pandemic-related supply chain issues, but the Abbott recall made the situation much worse. Parents reported hunting for hours to find formula needed to feed their infants. By May, President Biden was deploying military planes to airlift infant formula into the US. Also Read Texas Guv celebrates Diwali with prominent Indian-Americans; greets PM Modi Four killed in Ohio neighborhood shooting; authorities launch manhunt Republican Greg Abbott wins 3rd term as Texas governor, beats O'Rourke Biden administration's efforts to protect abortion access hit roadblocks Thousands in US's Texas off power amid freezing temp due to Arctic blast Covid-19 pandemic: China reports more than 12,600 deaths in a week At least 10 killed in mass shooting at dance club in US state of California After India's backing, China too offers support to Lanka for IMF bailout China no longer comfortable with status quo on Taiwan: Antony Blinken Israelis press on with protests against Netanyahu's new government Though FDA inspectors who swabbed the area near production lines at the plant found samples of the bacteria, its records show, no strain associated with an infant was directly linked to the facility. Four infants in three states Minnesota, Ohio and Texas fell ill with the dangerous Cronobactor sakazakii bacteria starting in September 2021, and two of them died. Renewing alarm over Beijing's intentions over Taipei, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday (local time) said that China is 'no longer comfortable' with status quo on Taiwan, reported Taiwan News. During a conversation with the University of Chicago Institute of Politics Founding Director David Axelrod, Blinken said the world is concerned about Taiwan now because it saw what happened to Hong Kong in the past few years. Voicing alarm over Taiwan, pointing to Beijing's growing efforts to isolate the nation and the major military exercises it carried out near it in August, Blinken said, "What we've seen over the last few years is, I think, China make a decision that it was no longer comfortable with the status quo, a status quo that had prevailed for decades that had actually been successful in terms of the relationship between our countries and managing what is a difficult situation," he said. According to him, the status quo has been "vital" to the US because it maintains peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, reported Taiwan News. Blinken said it's "a leading competitor" that does not share the US vision for the world, adding, "but competition is one thing, conflict is another, and it's strongly in our interest to make sure that even as we compete very, very vigorously, we avoid competition veering into conflict." The pairs' conversation covered a wide array of topics including the US's "re-engagement" with other countries, competition with rising powers Russia and China, COVID-19, and climate change, reported Taiwan News. Also Read 21 warplanes, five naval ships from China tracked around Taiwan Strait Taiwan gains global support amid Chinese aggression post-Pelosi's visit At odds with goal: US condemns China's military action in Taiwan US condemns China's 'irresponsible', 'provocative' military drill in Taiwan US Secy Blinken cautions China against changing status quo in Taiwan Israelis press on with protests against Netanyahu's new government China refuses to reveal number of death count for December 2022: Report Sri Lanka earned $900 million through rubber exports in 2022: Official China's realty magnate Hui Ka Yan loses 93% wealth amid slowdown in sector Brazilian President Silva fires army chief in aftermath of capital uprising Blinken called what Hong Kong went through in recent years and the reversal of development towards democracy one of the most sobering realities for people around the world. He said the "gutting" of China's so-called "one country, two systems" has had "a profound effect not only for people in Hong Kong but beyond" and is the reason why the world is so concerned about Taiwan. Blinken is to visit Beijing from Feb. 5 to 6, a US official said, in the first trip by a US secretary of state to the rising Asian power since October 2018. The trip was decided after US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November held talks in Bali, Indonesia, on wide-ranging friction between the world's two largest economic powers. Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday reached the Ukrainian capital and visited its outskirts before meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky, reports said. The Conservative MP said it was a "privilege" to visit the country at the invitation of Zelensky, the BBC reported. The unannounced visit came as fresh questions over Johnson's personal finances emerged in the UK, including claims that BBC Chairman Richard Sharp helped Mr Johnson secure a loan while he was Prime Minister. Johnson, who made no mention of the allegations, he was received by the President and other Ukrainian ministers. "I welcome Boris Johnson, a true friend of Ukraine, to Kyiv. Boris thanks for your support!" Zelensky wrote on Telegram. Johnson also visited the towns of Bucha and Borodyanka, which were occupied by Russian forces in March last year, and allegedly saw a massacre. Also Read Johnson and Johnson: Why talc-based powder will stop their sales in 2023? Zelensky hosts forum of world leaders to rally support for Crimea's return UK PM Boris Johnson slams Russia's 'cultural vandalism' in Ukraine Ukraine liberates over 6,000 sq km territory from Russia in Sept: Zelensky Russia plans prolonged attacks with Iran-made drones, says Zelensky FBI finds more classified papers at Biden's home in 13-hour search Brazil's right-wing movement persists without ex-President Bolsonaro Rishi Sunak scores as UK vote winner over Boris Johnson in new survey New update in Twitter will stop forcing 'For You' timeline on users: Musk IAF to hold Exercise Pralay along LAC in northeast amid standoff with China --IANS vd Also Read DU admissions: B Com at Ramjas, KMC most popular course among aspirants Advocate Mukul Rohatgi to serve as India's Attorney General for second time Mar-a-Lago estate search just part of one of several probes against Trump Donald Trump CFO's plea deal could make him a prosecution witness US House congressional panel to discuss release of Trump's tax returns Microsoft shutting down social virtual reality platform AltspaceVR Crypto firms go out of business as cryptocurrency collapse continues Twitter plans to roll out zero ads subscription model, says Elon Musk Signature Bank pulls back from crypto transactions below $100,000: Binance Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday night to protest plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government to overhaul the judicial system, measures that opponents say imperil the country's democratic fundamentals. Israeli media, citing police, said some 100,000 people were out protesting. The protest followed another demonstration last week that also drew tens of thousands in an early challenge to Netanyahu and his ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox government the most right-wing in Israeli history. The government says a power imbalance has given judges and government legal advisers too much sway over lawmaking and governance. Netanyahu has pledged to press on with the changes despite the opposition. Protesters filled central streets in the seaside metropolis, raising Israeli flags and banners that read The Supreme Court and Israel, We Have A Problem. All generations are concerned. This is not a joke, said Lior Student, a protester. "This is a complete redefinition of democracy. Also Read Israel's designated PM Netanyahu says he has successfully formed new govt 'Be right back', Netanyahu writes in his leaving note to successor: Reports PM-designate Netanyahu vows not to allow anti-LGBT laws in Israel Thousands of Israelis rally against Netanyahu government in Tel Aviv Thousands of Israelis protest Benjamin Netanyahu government's policies China refuses to reveal number of death count for December 2022: Report Sri Lanka earned $900 million through rubber exports in 2022: Official China's realty magnate Hui Ka Yan loses 93% wealth amid slowdown in sector Brazilian President Silva fires army chief in aftermath of capital uprising US Justice Department searches Biden's home, finds six classified documents Other protests took place in the cities of Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheba. In addition to the protests, pressure has built up on Netanyahu's government after the country's attorney general asked Netanyahu to fire a key Cabinet ally following a Supreme Court ruling that disqualified him from holding a government post because of a conviction of tax offenses. While Netanyahu was expected to heed the court ruling, it only deepened the rift in the country over the judicial system and the power of the courts. Earlier this week, Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, vowed to continue with the judicial overhaul plans despite the protests. Opponents say the changes could help Netanyahu evade conviction in his corruption trial, or make the court case disappear altogether. One protester said she thinks the judicial changes are meant to protect Netanyahu. The aim is to save only one person and one only this is Mr. Netanyahu, from his trial, and that's why I'm here. Pakistan spent USD 1.2 billion (Rs 259 billion) on the import of transportation items, including luxury cars, high-end electric vehicles, and their parts, during the last six months amidst sinking reserves and fear of default, according to a media report. The country is in the middle of a financial crunch with the foreign exchange reserves depleting to as low as USD 4 billion, forcing the central bank to slow down the import of even essential items. The News reported that despite the overall reduction in imports of transportation vehicles and other items compared with last year, the economy was still burdened with heavy outflows for buying expensive luxury vehicles and useless items. During these six months, the country imported completely built units (CBU), completely knocked down/semi knocked down (CKD/SKD) of USD 530.5 million equivalent to Rs 118.2 billion. Since CKD kits are not allowed to be imported, yet millions of dollars of these kits are being imported, harming the local industry and their production. The economy is suffering, but hefty spending on cars and other vehicle imports is raising a lot of questions about the government's policy of halting imports related to the industrial and commercial sectors. Also Read Edible oil imports surge 35% in Aug as share of Russia, Argentina rises India's palm oil imports to jump 9% on rising demand, lower prices India's crude oil imports from US dip by one million tonnes in June quarter India's oil imports from Russia fall in last two months, down 25% from June India's July soyoil imports jump to record on duty free buying-dealers Petrol stocks may dry up in Pakistan as banks refuse to open, confirm LCs Foreign shipping lines may stop services for cash-strapped Pakistan Davos 2023: Over 50 high-impact initiatives at WEF for sustainable world WEF 2023: 'Fragmentation can cost up to 7% of global GDP', says IMF chief Pak to pay for Russian oil in currencies of 'friendly countries': Official Under the completely built units (CBU) during July-Dec 2022-23 imports of buses, trucks and other heavy vehicles imports were USD 75 million (Rs16.6bn), motor cars with USD 32.6 million. Under the CKD/SKD, imports of buses, trucks, and other heavy vehicles imports were USD 722.5 million (Rs161 billion), while motor car imports were recorded at USD 498 million (Rs111 billion). Motorcycle imports also stood at USD 27.6 million. Besides, the parts and accessories imports stood at USD 188.6 million (Rs42 billion). Similarly, USD 47.7 million were spent on the import of aircraft, ships, and boats. Only in December, the transport sector's imports stood at USD 140.7 million (Rs31.6 billion). Of this, USD 47.5 million or 11.3 billion rupees were spent on the imports of cars, USD 27 million on parts and accessories, USD 3.6 million on motorcycles import, USD 25 million on buses, trucks, and heavy vehicles, and another USD 22.4 million on the import of aircraft, ships, and boats. Reportedly, despite economic crises, the incumbent government has lifted a ban on the import of luxury cars recently, which became one of the major sources of dollar outflow, according to the paper. Also Read How will Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter change the public square? Elon Musk demands ex-Twitter product chief testify in takeover fight Twitter has to give Elon Musk only ex-product head's data on bots: Court Judge slams Elon Musk for not handing over texts in Twitter fight Court orders Twitter to give Musk more data on bots in battle over deal Signature Bank pulls back from crypto transactions below $100,000: Binance Google may introduce 20 AI-powered tools, ChatGPT competitor in May Google's research and development division 'Area 120' hit by layoffs Musk admits he ignored investors while tweeting on Tesla 'going private' With more Big Tech companies like Microsoft and Google joining the ongoing layoff season, about 3,000 tech employees are now being laid off per day on average in January globally, including in India. The sacking episodes have gained speed amid global economic meltdown and recession fears. More than 65,000 employees have been sacked by 166 tech companies to date. Google's parent company Alphabet announced to lay off 12,000 employees, or about 6 per cent of its workforce. Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella last week said the company will be "making changes that will result in the reduction of our overall workforce by 10,000 jobs through the end of FY23 Q3 (third quarter)". Amazon earlier announced to lay off 18,000 employees globally, including nearly 1,000 in India. Also Read Is Elon Musk rewriting the HR rulebook at Twitter? Meta Platforms' India staffers on edge over layoff media reports Facebook parent Meta Inc to begin widespread job cuts starting today Why are we getting mixed signals from India's job market? Musk refuses to reimburse 'millions of dollars' owed to Twitter vendors EPFO data shows first-time job seekers joining organised sector PM Modi to distribute appointment letters to 71,000 people on Friday Japan plans to raise employment rate of people with disabilities to 2.7% E-recruitment activities decline marginally by 1% in Dec 2022, shows report US hiring stays brisk as employers add 223,000 jobs in Dec: Labor dept In 2022, over 1,000 companies laid off 154,336 workers, as per the data by layoffs tracking site Layoffs.fyi. The mass tech layoffs of 2022 are continuing into the new year, and Indian companies and startups are also among the leaders in firing staff. Homegrown social media company ShareChat (Mohalla Tech Pvt Ltd) laid off 20 per cent of its workforce due to uncertain market conditions, affecting more than 500 employees. IT giant Wipro has laid off more than 400 fresher employees for poor performance in internal assessment tests. Online food delivery platform Swiggy also confirmed that the company is laying off 380 employees as food delivery growth slows. MediBuddy, an end-to-end digital healthcare platform in India, has laid off 8 per cent of its workforce, around 200 people, across all departments as a restructuring exercise. Companies like Ola (which fired 200 employees) and voice automated startup Skit.ai also dominated the headlines for laying off employees this month. Homegrown quick-grocery delivery provider Dunzo has laid off 3 per cent of its workforce amid cost-cutting measures. The year 2023 has begun on a bad note for tech workers globally. Cyber-security company Sophos laid off about 450 people globally including in India -- which is 10 per cent of its workforce -- to achieve "the optimal balance of growth and profitability". LinkedIn is full of job hunts, offers of support for laid off friends and colleagues, and advice for coping with career hurdles as several companies trim their workforce to navigate through an uncertain macroeconomic environment. --IANS na/dpb Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un take a walk at the Kumsusan State Guesthouse in Pyongyang, June 21, 2019, in this file photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, thanking him for his condolence message following the death of former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin, the North's state media said Sunday. "On behalf of the Party, government and people of the DPRK, You, Comrade General Secretary, sent a message of condolence before anyone else to express condolences and sympathy over the death of Comrade Jiang Zemin," Xi wrote in the message received Jan. 17, according to the Korean Central News Agency. DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "On behalf of the Chinese party, government and people, I express my heartfelt thanks to You and convey the thanks of the bereaved family of Comrade Jiang Zemin," he added. Xi described Jiang as "an outstanding leader with high prestige," who "made an important contribution to consolidating and developing the traditional China-DPRK friendship as a close friend of the Korean Party and people." "Under the new situation, the Chinese side, together with the Korean side, is willing to continue to defend, consolidate and develop the China-DPRK relations with credit, thus making positive contributions to promoting the socialist causes in the two countries, providing happiness to the two peoples and to achieving the regional peace, stability, development and prosperity," Xi said, according to the KCNA. Kim sent a message and flowers of condolence shortly after Jiang's Nov. 30 death. (Yonhap) Left parties in Telangana on Sunday felicitated Aleida Guevara, daughter of Cuban revolutionary Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, who arrived here. Aleida along with her daughter Estefania Guevara were received at the airport by members of the Left parties. Aleida visited the office of Telangana state unit of the CPI where she was felicitated by the Communist leaders among others. At another event she was honoured by CPI(M) leaders. In the evening, Aleida addressed 'Cuba Solidarity Meeting' organised by the National Committee for Solidarity with Cuba, CPI and CPI(M). "The United States government created laws with an extra-continental character, with which it tries to prevent Cuba's trade with other people of the world. Despite this blockade, we continue to practice solidarity with all the people of the world," a release issued by the organisers, attributed to her as saying. Telangana High Court Judge Justice G Radha Rani, Senior BRS leader and vice-chairman of Telangana Planning Board B Vinod Kumar, CPI(M) state secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram, CPI state secretary Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao were among those who spoke at the event. Also Read Asaduddin Owaisi welcomes BRS; BJP calls it KCR's 'misadventure' KCR to lay foundation stone for Hyderabad Airport Express Metro on Dec 9 Telangana attracts over Rs 2.5 trn investments in 8 years: KT Rama Rao Telangana police aims to install 150,000 CCTV cameras across state: DGP Telangana MLA poaching case: Court refuses judicial remand of 3 accused DMK vs governor row: Battle of ideologies, a struggle steeped in history CM Stalin to hold meeting to evaluate law and order situation in TN PM Modi to kick off poll campaign in Kalyan Karnataka region on Jan 19 Kejriwal, Akhilesh, Left leaders to attend BRS public meet in T'gana on Wed PM Modi praises Bandi Sanjay, says all states should learn from him Aleida is visiting Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh on Monday. Livestreamers bring specialties of remote villages to center stage Xinhua) 09:58, January 22, 2023 LANZHOU, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- To ring in the Lunar New Year, Zhang Mingxia donned a red cotton coat and cooked a wok of potato noodles, before switching on the camera to livestream. The 26-year-old swiftly juggled between promoting and pitching the noodle, interacting with first-time watchers, answering their queries for price and delivery, and occasionally slurping some burning-hot noodles as a demonstration. For Zhang, the Chinese New Year holiday which begins on Sunday is not just about family get-togethers. It also brings a golden time for promoting local farm products and improving the income of fellow villagers. Born into a farming family in Longxi County of Gansu Province, Zhang knows how difficult selling agricultural products is for her parents, due to weather-dependent yield and highly volatile prices. So after college graduation in 2019, Zhang returned to her hometown with the ambition of selling agricultural products via livestreaming with seven other college grads who all grew up in rural areas. Livestreaming sales is difficult. In the beginning, Zhang did not know how to present products to the audience, and even felt overwhelmed when addressing questions from her only 14 followers. Some watchers mocked Zhang's large build. In response, she named her account "chubby helper of Gansu farmers" to play up her uniqueness. "It's not a problem for me as long as it helps to sell the farm products." Gansu is an agricultural province in China's landlocked, arid northwest. Zhang's team soon grew unsatisfied with merely selling local potato noodles and planned to bring other unique agricultural goods from Gansu to consumers across the nation. They pooled funds to rent a car and embarked on a "treasure hunt" across the province. "We look young, so it can be challenging to gain the trust of villagers. Occasionally, we arranged the purchase plan only to find them change their minds the next day because they did not believe we could sell their products online," said Yang Xiaoqiang, Zhang's colleague. Through perseverance and learning from her mistakes, Zhang became a local celebrity, and requests began to flood in to help farmers sell unsold harvests. Currently, lily, honey melon and matsutake are on their selling list, and approximately 340,000 people follow their account on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. According to Zhang, the team has helped Gansu farmers sell 1.5 million kilograms of agricultural products over the past three years. They sold about 300,000 orders last year alone. "Livestreaming e-commerce is a new approach for farmers to raise their revenue, and is drawing more young people to participate in the cause of rural revitalization," said Zhang, whose team now has a stable source of income from the livestreaming business. Statistics from Douyin estimate that by the end of 2022, the generation born in the 1990s had accounted for 45 percent of all broadcasters selling agricultural products via livestreaming on the platform. "We have also realized our self-worth and enjoyed a feeling of success by helping other farmers," she said. "We wish to prove that even a remote mountain village can be a big stage for college graduates." (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun) Vice Unification Minister Kim Ki-woong gives remarks at a memorial service held by people whose ancestors' graves are in North Korea, in Imjingak near Paju, 28 kilometers northwest of Seoul, Jan. 22. Yonhap Vice Unification Minister Kim Ki-woong called on North Korea, Sunday, to halt provocations and return to dialogue, saying Seoul stands by its offers for talks. Kim made the remarks during a memorial service in Imjingak near Paju, just south of the inter-Korean border, held by people whose ancestors' graves are in North Korea, to mark the Lunar New Year. "The North Korean authorities must immediately halt provocations that threaten the survival of our people and respond to our government's offers for talks," he said. "The North Korean authorities are completely disregarding their basic duty to take care of their people's livelihoods, people's natural demands to allow families to meet and our government's proposal to jointly create a prosperous future, and are following the wrong path," he added. The vice minister urged Pyongyang to choose the right path, saying all of Seoul's offers, including its proposal for talks on arranging reunions for families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War, remain valid. "The door to dialogue remains open," he said. 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and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Three lines of defence ICR Research By Published 11 January 2023 Digitalisation has enabled cement producers to increase the uptime of their equipment as artificial intelligence (AI) has alerted them to current or future equipment failure so swift action can be taken through the plants maintenance and repair programme. This reduces lengthy and costly downtime. By Mary Beth Kramer, Kramer Consulting, USA. Predictive maintenance with artificial intelligence (AI) are heavily-used terms in todays industrial manufacturing describing the benefits of digitalisation. However, prescriptive maintenance represents the pinnacle approach to getting the most effective, economical use of industrial equipment. Fundamentally, prescriptive maintenance seeks to recognise a potential failure before it fully manifests. This failure defence strategy tops real-time monitoring and robust preventive maintenance with the notion that costly failures and downtime can be avoided or at least minimised. A more complex understanding of plant operation parameters and the ability to analyse differences in operating data in real-time drives AI-based prescriptive maintenance, which can be applied from end-to-end of cement production, from the quarry to the finished cement load-out or bagging operation. To continue reading this story and get access to all News, Articles and Video sections of the CemNet.com website, please Register for a subscription to International Cement Review or Login A man on Market Street told police he received a call from "Chief Ron Bernard" of the Hamilton County Processing Division. He said the man provided him with a badge #3116. "Chief Bernard" informed him he had missed jury duty and was now facing federal indictment and he could avoid jail by paying the following fees: For count #1 $892.53, for count #2 $1,200.11, and for count #3 $1,866.61. The man said he was unable to pay this amount so "Chief Bernard" said he would speak with the "judge" and see if he could get the charges reduced. "Chief Bernard" was able to reduce the amount to $820. He said he was instructed to go to CVS and purchase Green Dot Money Packs and transfer the funds to them. The man said he went to CVS on Lee Highway and transferred $820 onto Green Dot Money Packs and transferred them over to "Chief Bernard." He gave police the number "Chief Bernard" used to call him. Ron Bernard works at the Sheriff's Office, but was not in any way involved in this scam. * * * A woman on Wilson Street told police a verbal disorder had occurred between her and another (second) woman. She said a third woman had come into her residence saying that she was being followed, and shortly after, the second woman and two other women began banging on her door. She said once the second woman was aware that she was calling police, she left the scene. The woman wanted the third woman to leave the residence for the night to avoid any further issues. That woman left without incident. * * * A man was caught sleeping inside a storage building at the Lowe's at 1755 Gunbarrel Road. The man was officially trespassed by police. * * * Police were called to 7500 Standifer Gap Road for a vehicle stuck in a ditch. A man had gotten his vehicle stuck while going around a curve with wet roads. The man said he needed a tow and he did not need a wreck report. The man was transported home by police and Denton's wrecker picked his vehicle up and transported it back to their lot. * * * A man called police saying that a white male was looking into cars at the complex at 301 Cherokee Blvd. He said the man was shorter than six feet tall and had a beard, gray jacket and black toboggan. Multiple officers checked the area, but could not locate the suspect. * * * Police ran a Georgia tag on a Sebring in the area of 100 W. 25th St. The tag did not match the vehicle. Police then ran the VIN to see if the vehicle was stolen. The vehicle did not show as stolen. Police did not see anything illegal in plain sight in the vehicle. * * * A woman on Hooker Road told police that her brother was not leaving her residence. Police arrived on scene and told the brother he needed to leave. He packed his clothing and left the scene without incident. * * * A disorder was reported at the Speedway, 1330 E. 3rd St. A woman told police a light-skinned male came into the store and started to take an employee's items. She said the employee had started to tell the man that those were his items and he was not going to take it. She said both men had gotten into a verbal altercation and then the light-skinned man left the store. She said the man re-entered the store and she told him that he needed to leave. The man then saw the employee again and started to aggressively approach him, at which point she stepped in between. While in between the men, she was bumped by the light-skinned man. She said that he told all the employees that he was going to kill them. He had left prior to police arrival. The employee described him as a light-skinned man wearing a purple shirt with different colored sleeves. What Ina Garten Says to Critics of Her Too Heavy Dishes: My Food Is Real TL;DR: Ina Garten responded to critics who say her food is too heavy during a Jan. 2023 episode of Whos Talking to Chris Wallace. I think if you cook and serve real food, I think youre better off, Ina Garten said in response to the claim from critics. Previously, the cookbook author said she doesnt eat fast food except for In-N-Out Burger. Ina Garten | Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank Ina Garten is clapping back at critics. Asked about her dishes being dubbed too heavy, the longtime Barefoot Contessa host explained why she thinks theres a certain element of her food thats good for people. Chris Wallace asked Ina Garten about critics saying she makes food thats too heavy in a 2023 interview In a wide-ranging interview on Whos Talking to Chris Wallace, available on HBO Max and CNN, Garten discussed everything from Barefoot Contessas premiere and her husband, Jeffrey Garten, to leaving a job at the White House. Not only that but Garten addressed another topic, criticism. Anyone whos as beloved and popular and successful as you are is going to have critics, host Chris Wallace told Garten in the Jan. 15 episode. And one of the things that critics say shes steeling herself here is that your food is too heavy. You Im sure youve heard that, Wallace continued. Its got too much meat in it, too much dairy products, too high fat. Ina Gartens response to critics: My foods real and I think thats good for people Nobody loses Ina Garten's number. pic.twitter.com/XBBEOUbIXZ HBO Max (@hbomax) January 14, 2023 Garten responded to Wallace, saying the American Medical Association may not give her top marks but her foods real. I think the AMA rates me, at a D, D minus. I dont know something like that, she began. OK, but you know what, my food is real. And I think if you cook and serve real food, I think, I think youre better, youre better off. I think its healthier. The Be My Guest host continued, saying choice is a big part of it. So everybody chooses how, what they like to eat, she said. Whether they want to eat fish and vegetables, that they want to eat hamburgers and, and baked potatoes. I think that my foods real and I think thats good for people. You also have a choice, and you can eat one kind of meal one day and another half, Wallace added, to which Garten replied, Grilled salmon and a pie for dessert. You know, everybody makes their own choices. Ina Garten | Jeff Neira/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images The only fast food the Barefoot Contessa eats is In-N-Out Burger Despite making dishes may some call too heavy, Gartens eating habits dont involve eating rich food all the time. The Go-To Dinners author once revealed she very rarely eats fast food. When she does, Garten opts for burgers. But not just any burgers. The ones from In-N-Out Burger. I have to say, I dont eat fast food at all, with one exception, she told Today Food in 2018. When were in California doing book tours, we always have to go to In-N-Out Burger. Its so good. And I know it was Julia Childs favorite too, so its OK [sic]. Gartens also been known to have oatmeal for breakfast always with a pinch of salt every morning. Additionally, she avoids Chinese takeout because she almost died eating bad takeout. Drunk man trying to steal St. Michael statue from Catholic church trips, falls on angel's sword A drunken man was badly injured while trying to steal a statue of St. Michael the Archangel from a church in Mexico and was later arrested, according to a recent report. Carlos Alonso, 32, allegedly went to Christ the King Parish of Monterrey last Saturday in an attempt to rob the church, according to a report by ACI Prensa, which was translated and adapted by Catholic News Agency. According to the report, Alonso allegedly broke into the church and tried to steal a St. Michael the Archangel statue, but he then tripped and fell, landing on the statue's sword. The sword cut his neck, seriously injuring the thief, with passersby noticing the wounded man and calling for emergency help for him, with Monterrey Civil Protection arriving soon after. The man was later hospitalized while the statue was returned to the church, apparently undamaged by the incident, reported CNA. Alonso is expected to face charges for his actions. According to Judeo-Christian tradition, St. Michael is a prominent angel in the Kingdom of Heaven, and referred to on multiple occasions in the Bible, especially regarding the End Times. Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven, reads Revelation 12:7-8, for example. Michael, whose name is Hebrew for Who is like God, is often depicted as a warrior in paintings and art, usually bearing a sword and shown vanquishing Satan in combat. Lee Ki-young, who is alleged to have murdered a taxi driver and a woman, is transferred from the Ilsan Dongbu Police Agency in Goyang to the prosecution, Jan. 4. Yonhap A lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party has introduced a bill aimed at disclosing a recent photo of suspected felons amid public criticism the current system does not deliver an accurate image of criminal suspects. Under the bill proposed by Rep. Song Eon-seog, the authorities should release a photo of a criminal suspect taken within 30 days of an identity disclosure if they decide to do so. Currently, the police can disclose the identity of a person suspected of committing a serious crime, including a facial photo, name and age, but there is no regulation on when the photo has to have been taken. Recently, there has been public criticism over the effectiveness of the identity disclosure system after the police last month disclosed a driver's license photo of 31-year-old Lee Ki-young suspected of killing his former girlfriend and a taxi driver. After the photo was released, there were comments Lee looks different at present from the past photo, but the police said they could not disclose Lee's mug shot without his consent. "The bill will increase the effectiveness of the system by helping the public better identify a criminal suspect's face, and ultimately, help protect people from crimes," Song said. (Yonhap) Donate, bury or burn? How to dispose of a worn-out Bible Whatever you do, dont trash the Bible. Thats not just good life advice, its also solid counsel when it comes to getting rid of a worn-out copy of the Word of God. Most Americans who own a Bible tend to own multiple copies 3.6 copies to be exact while 84% own at least two copies, at least according to a 2012 study. So how are folks to dispose of all this Scripture (when theyre done reading and memorizing it, of course)? Does the Bible address how to trash itself, so to speak? Not really, according to Dr. Darrell Bock, executive director for Cultural Engagement at the Hendricks Center at Dallas Theological Seminary. I am not sure there is a single text on this, Bock told The Christian Post. A Bible is precious, but it is not something we worship. While nobody suggests simply throwing the Good Book in the trash, here are a few ways believers can gracefully transition to a new copy while still respecting the Word. Hundreds attend funeral of NAMB church planter who died in plane crash Friends and family remembered and celebrated the life and legacy of Clint Clifton, a church planter with the North American Mission Board who died in a plane crash in Georgia, at his funeral on Saturday that was attended by hundreds of people from his community. He taught us to be bold when doing the right thing, said Noah Clifton, the oldest son of the church planter, at the funeral service at Grace Church in Dumfries, Virginia, which was founded by the Clifton family. Clifton died in a small plane crash in north Georgia on the evening of Jan. 12. Clifton was the only person in the plane and was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, according to the Dawson County News. He taught us how to have fun. ... My dad taught us that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things and to love Jesus with our whole hearts, said Noah, who works at Grace Church. He also stated that his father was a hero to him and his siblings. Clifton and his wife, Jennifer, had been married since 2000 and had five children: Noah, Ruthe, Isaiah, Betchina and Moses. Clifton hosted the "New Churches" podcast and served in numerous ministry positions throughout the Southeast prior to planting Pillar Church, where he served as an elder, according to Baptist Press. Jonathan Davis, the pastor of Pillar Church in Jacksonville, North Carolina, remembered how Clifton had encouraged him to plant a church at a time when he was not yet a pastor or involved in Christian ministry. Clifton's childhood pastor shared a hymn, And Can it Be, written by Charles Wesley, which Clifton would often quote when he was asked to speak in churches and Christian gatherings. According to the pastor, the hymn encapsulated Clifton's own experiences. He read out the portion that Clifton would refer to: Long my imprisoned spirit lay/ Fast bound in sin and natures night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. Pillar Church's Teaching Pastor, Colby Garman, told those gathered that most people envied Clifton's sense of urgency. He explained that Clifton would accomplish the work of two days in just one day, and had endless energy, zeal and passion. According to Garman, Clifton believed that the time to act was always now. "God generously gifted Clifton in so many ways. He had a pastor's heart and was a talented church planter with a passion for reaching people for Christ. He loved what we do here at NAMB and poured his heart and life into it. We miss him already and he leaves a void that can't be filled," said NAMB President Kevin Ezell, in a statement after the news of Clifton's death arrived. As we pray for and encourage Clints family and closest friends, lets all take care of each other as we walk through the grief and shock of this moment. Nothing can prepare you for news like this, but we have a Savior who will carry us and sustain us in the days ahead. In a recent Instagram post, Clifton had revealed he was gearing up for the release of a new book, titled How to Start a Residency, which he said answers nine practical questions about turning everyday members into ministry leaders. In a 2014 interview with The Christian Post, Clifton shared his passion for bringing the Gospel to underserved communities and areas resistant to the Good News. "The truth is, lost people don't see a need for new churches so the communities are always resistant to churches, especially churches that are clear on the Gospel," said Clifton. "It's an uphill battle planting churches in a city that doesn't see a use for them. The challenges are numerous, the city is expensive, the culture is diverse but Jesus saves. His Gospel is powerful and will grow wherever it's planted. Kim Kardashian buys Attallah Cross pendant worn by Princess Diana for $200K Reality television star Kim Kardashian has acquired the Attallah Cross, a diamond-encrusted pendant worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, at a Sothebys auction in London. The 1920s piece, designed by luxury jewelry maker Garrard, was sold for 163,800, or roughly $202,834, more than double its pre-auction estimate, The Times (U.K.) reported. The Attallah Cross, which features square-cut amethysts and circular-cut diamonds and weighs approximately 5.25 carats, was originally purchased by businessman Naim Attallah in the 1980s. Princess Diana wore the piece of jewelry on several occasions, including for her attendance at a Birthright gala in London in October 1987. Birthright is a charity working toward the protection of human rights during pregnancy and childbirth. Jewellery owned or worn by the late Princess Diana very rarely comes on to the market, especially a piece such as the Attallah cross, which is so colourful, bold and distinctive, Kristian Spofforth, head of jewelry at Sothebys London, was quoted as saying. To some extent, this unusual pendant is symbolic of the princess growing self-assurance in her sartorial and jewelry choices, at that particular moment in her life. This is not the first time Kardashian, the star of the E! reality series "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," has shown interest in historical fashion items, having worn a dress previously worn by Marilyn Monroe at the Met Gala last year. Diana's charity work around the world was inspired by her deeper Christian faith, which was not as recognized as it should have been, Mike Whitlam, former director general of the British Red Cross, said in a previous interview with The Telegraph. I think she had a stronger faith than people give her credit for. She wanted to put love where there was hatred, and make a huge difference to peoples lives so that they could live a better life, Whitlam said in August 2017. When you talk to people about making the world a better place, there are not many people who think its doable. She did, added Whitlam, who had worked with Diana on a number of charity campaigns, including her landmine trip to Bosnia. Dianas husband, Charles III, who is now the U.K.s king, has spoken out on a number of occasions on the religious persecution of Christians and other minorities around the world. Kardashian, the 42-year-old mother of four, has also said she prays regularly. Last month, in an episode of the "Angie Martinez IRL Podcast," Kardashian, the ex-wife of rapper Kanye West, spoke about the challenges of co-parenting and broke down in tears. However, she also emphasized the importance of her daily prayer routine with her children, North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm. Even when she's away, she makes sure to connect with them over FaceTime to pray together. She said her children have come to expect this daily practice from her and that she finds it essential to her well-being. She said maintaining quiet time to connect with God was necessary and she always has something to pray for. Health and happiness and calmness, sometimes. Calmness is my superpower. [But] sometimes, I need a little bit of help in that area. Despite her three marriages, she considers herself a "hopeless romantic" and has faith that God will bring her the perfect person. "I believe in God, love, faith in all of it, and He will bring me my perfect person," she declared. Christian wireless provider responds to Texas police department rejecting donation after backlash A Texas police department is saying thanks but no thanks to a donated pizza party from a Christian conservative wireless provider after receiving backlash on social media. Patriot Mobile, which stirred up controversy last year for donating In God We Trust signs to a Dallas-area school district, says on Jan. 12, the group donated a $1,500 gift certificate for a pizza party to the police department in Grapevine, a suburb in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The gift, according to Patriot Mobile, was a thank you for their service to the Grapevine community, similar to donated meals from other local businesses. Initially, the Grapevine Police Department offered its thanks for Patriot Mobiles support and encouragement and said the department was grateful for the donation. Sincere thanks to our friends at Patriot Mobile. We are blessed to have their support and encouragement. Today they presented us with a certificate to host a pizza party for our staff. We are grateful for the opportunity to have a fun and relaxing meal together as a team. pic.twitter.com/vY12SZJNND Grapevine Police (@GrapevinePolice) January 12, 2023 The department tweeted: Sincere thanks to our friends at Patriot Mobile. We are blessed to have their support and encouragement. Today they presented us with a certificate to host a pizza party for our staff. We are grateful for the opportunity to have a fun and relaxing meal together as a team. But after a number of comments were posted on social media criticizing GPD for accepting the gift, the department announced it would instead donate the food to a true need. We want something positive to come from this experience and that means giving to a worthy cause, the Jan. 14 statement read. While not offering any specific explanation, the statement cited deep emotion in response to Patriot Mobiles donation and said GPD will re-evaluate how we receive donations in the future. The relationships we have, and desire, with our community members are foundational to growing trust and legitimacy, the statement added. Please know that our actions were not intended to create distrust, and we vow to do better moving forward. Its not clear whether someone in the GPD chain of command or a city of Grapevine official made the decision to reject the donation. The GPD did not respond to a request for comment from The Christian Post as of midday Friday. In response to the move, Patriot Mobile CEO Glenn Story said the police department took a knee and bowed to extreme left activists. The response from the far left is not surprising to us, nor is it anything new, Story said. We are humbled to serve as a Christian conservative company. Our mission is to defend our God-given constitutional rights. The $1,500 gift certificate, according to Patriot Mobile, was originally purchased for $2,575 at an auction benefiting fallen soldiers and was donated to honor our police officers. Patriot Mobile is asking for the GPD to give the donation to another police department in North Texas if Grapevine continues to reject the donation. The wireless provider also slammed the woke PR statement from GPD, adding that is is not shared by all officers in the Grapevine Police Department. Founded in 2013, Patriot Mobiles corporate headquarters is located in Grapevine and has supported efforts to elect more conservatives to school board seats in Texas. The company made headlines last August after donating several signs reading In God We Trust to the Carroll Independent School District, located in Southlake about 15 miles west of Dallas. Patriot Mobile donated the signs in response to a new Texas law requiring all public schools statewide to display the national motto. Family says 6-year-old boy who shot teacher has acute disability, offers prayers The family of a 6-year-old boy who shot first-grade teacher Abigail Zwerner as she taught her class at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, earlier this month revealed that he has an acute disability and offered prayers for her recovery Thursday. Our heart goes out to our sons teacher and we pray for her healing in the aftermath of such an unimaginable tragedy as she selflessly served our son and the children in the school. She has worked diligently and compassionately to support our family as we sought the best education and learning environment for our son, the family said in a statement through their attorney, James Ellenson, according to NBC News. We thank her for her courage, grace and sacrifice. We grieve alongside all of the other teachers, families and administrators for how this horrific incident has impacted them, our community, and the nation." The statement from the boys family comes as Riverside Regional Medical Center spokesperson Angela Arcieri announced that Zwerner, 25, was released from the hospital two weeks after she was shot on Jan. 6. Zwerner, she said, "continues her recovery as an outpatient with the support of family, friends, and health professionals. The Zwerner family respectfully asks for privacy during this time." Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said during an earlier press conference that Zwerner was reportedly teaching when the 6-year-old boy brandished a firearm, pointed it at her and fired one round. There was no physical struggle or fight. She was providing instruction to her class, Drew said. The police chief said Zwerner took a defensive position where she raised her hand after the student fired the gun at her. The round went through her hand, exited the rear of her hand and into her upper chest, he said. Still, Zwerner, managed to evacuate the students from the classroom before getting help for herself. As the investigation into the shooting continues, the boys family insisted in their statement that the gun he used to shoot Zwerner was secure. Our family has always been committed to responsible gun ownership and keeping firearms out of the reach of children. The firearm our son accessed was secured, they said. It was unclear how their son managed to access the gun and take it to school. Our son suffers from an acute disability and was under a care plan at the school that included his mother or father attending school with him and accompanying him to class every day. Additionally, our son has benefitted from an extensive community of care that also includes his grandparents working alongside us and other caregivers to ensure his needs and accommodations are met. The week of the shooting was the first week when we were not in class with him. We will regret our absence on this day for the rest of our lives, they said. The family further explained that the child is now hospitalized. We continue to pray for his teachers full recovery, and for her loved ones who are undoubtedly upset and concerned. At the same time, we love our son and are asking that you please include him and our family in your prayers, they said. A police spokeswoman told NBC News that on the day of the shooting a school employee was notified of a possible firearm at Richneck Elementary before the shooting occurred. It was noted, however, that: The Newport News Police Department was not notified of this information prior to the incident. George Parker III, the school systems superintendent, said in a Jan. 12 virtual town hall also cited by NBC News that the boys arrived at school late on the day of the shooting and his book bag was inspected. At least one administrator was notified of a possible weapon, Parker said. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign seeking to raise money to help Zwerner with her recovery was nearing its goal of $250,000 on Friday. Should John Witherspoons statue remain at Princeton? Princeton University is considering a petition, signed by nearly 300 members of the campus community, to remove a statue of John Witherspoon. According to the petition, paying such honor to someone who participated actively in the enslavement of human beings, and used his scholarly gifts to defend the practice, is today a distraction from the Universitys mission. In place of the statue, the petition requests an informational plaque that would describe both the positive and negative aspects of Witherspoons legacy. Witherspoon was one of the universitys most important presidents and one of the most important, albeit less-known, of Americas founders. Witherspoon accepted the presidency of the College of New Jersey in 1768. The Presbyterian school would not be renamed Princeton University until 1896. Immediately, Witherspoon faced a series of problems at the school. Through a combination of fundraising in New Jersey and in Scotland, updating the curriculum based on the University of Edinburgh, purchasing maps and scientific instruments, and expanding the library (including contributing 300 of his own books), he transformed the school into a thriving and important institution. In addition to his leadership at such a crucial time in the universitys history, Witherspoon also taught courses in rhetoric, history, and divinity. His greatest contribution may have been a required course in moral philosophy. His ideas, anchored in his Reformed faith, the natural law tradition, and Scottish philosopher Thomas Reids Common Sense Realism, took deep root at Princeton and in American society. Witherspoon believed firmly in the right of people to resist unjust laws and tyrannical government, by force of arms if necessary. Not surprisingly, he supported the American Revolution, serving in the Continental Congress from 1777 to 1784. He took on a prodigious amount of work, participating in over 100 committees. After the war, he helped draft the Articles of Confederation and later helped shepherd the Constitution through the New Jersey Legislature. As impressive as his resume is, Witherspoons biggest impact came through his students. He was a shaping influence on James Madison, especially on the necessity of checks and balances in government. His other students include Vice President Aaron Burr, 37 judges including several members of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and 3 U.S. Supreme Court justices 10 cabinet officers, 12 members of the Continental Congress, 28 U.S. Senators, and 49 U.S. Congressmen. Because of his work shaping so many who influenced the early years of the American Republic, Witherspoon was arguably the most influential of Americas founders. Witherspoon also owned slaves, two to be specific, used to work farmland in New Jersey. Like so many of the founders, Witherspoons attitudes toward slavery cannot fit into comfortable categories. On one hand, he taught that slaves and employees should be treated with dignity and respect. He even spoke out against slavery at the College. At the same time, however, he opposed a measure in the state legislature that would have banned slavery in New Jersey. Like others, he believed slavery would die out within a generation, and so legislation was unnecessary and could interfere with a process he believed to be inevitable. In fact, there were very few consistent abolitionists among the founders. Most 18th-century elites owned slaves, either as domestic servants or to work land. Princeton Professor Robert P. George has described a way he challenges students to think about the past and the human condition, particularly those contexts which featured evils so obvious to us today. He asks the students which side of the issue they would have taken. Unsurprisingly, he says, nearly all claim that they would have been on the side of justice and human rights. His response is to ask whether they have ever taken an unpopular stand that risked their reputation, job, family, or life. If not, according to Professor George, it is unlikely they would have opposed slavery. Whatever comes of the petition at Princeton, it at least attempts to remember a towering historical figure rather than erase him and to consider his life as a human being within a context rather than simply impose a sense of moral superiority. So many efforts today to simply cancel people and erase history are based on flawed understandings of ourselves and the past as if weve morally evolved to some new high ground and are not ourselves culpable for morally mixed beliefs and behaviors. Not only does this approach reek of chronological snobbery, but it leaves us with a shockingly short list of heroes to look up to and learn from. We ought to learn from the past, but we should remember that those who come after us will also find cause to condemn the planks we failed to see in our own eyes. Originally published at BreakPoint. 3 things Prince Harry's memoir 'Spare' reminds us as Christians Like millions of people around the globe, Ive found myself lured into reading Prince Harrys recently published memoir Spare. Im more than halfway through the book now, and thus far, its both riveting and reticent, emotional and stoic, spellbinding and wearisome too. But whatever you view on the book, one thing has become astoundingly clear. The journalistic spectacle surrounding its publication as well as the relentless attention given to two feuding brothers has caused seemingly everyone to take a side for or against. And the two sides are as vehemently divided as the royal House of Windsor itself. If ever there was a good time to remind believers of Gods desire for unity, perhaps it is now. After all, weve all experienced disunity in some form or fashion. Weve faced conflict with a parent or sibling, disagreements with coworkers or neighbors, squabbles between church members, even personal struggles with God Himself. Consider Jacob who wrestled with the Lord until daybreak (see Gen. 32:24-30). To experience conflict is to be human. Still, God does not leave us without guidance on this subject. In fact, He calls those who follow Him to a higher plateau, a narrower way that is counter-cultural to what weve seen unfolding lately in secular news reports and biting editorial columns. God calls Christians to pursue unity extravagantly amongst believers, and He calls us to pursue peacemaking, as much as humanly possible, with nonbelievers too (see 1 Cor. 1:10, Phil. 2:2-3, Rom. 14:9, and Matt. 5:9). Unity and peacemaking are two of Gods priorities because both offer the world a clearer canvas on which the Gospel message can be painted. Both offer irresistible hope that a loving God is real, that restoration is possible, and that Jesus really did die so we might experience the ultimate reunification eternal life through the forgiveness of our sins. In spite of Gods decree, seeking unity does not come without difficulty. Therefore, here are three things to remember in your personal pursuit of unity and peace: 1. God doesnt take sides, yet He deeply cares about our conflicts. In Joshua 5, right before the great battle of Jericho, an angelic figure (or arguably God incarnate) stands in front of Joshua with a sword in his hand. Joshua asks this figure, Are you for us or for our enemies? (Jos. 5:13). The angels reply is simple. Neither. For us today, God would arguably respond the same way. He is not for one side at the expense of the other. He doesnt take sides. Rather, God has a bigger plan, a greater purpose in mind that goes beyond what we often see or understand. We can trust, therefore, that even when things arent going our way, God deeply cares about our struggles. He sent His Son into a conflict-filled fallen world to die, yes, but also to live so that we might see firsthand how much the suffering we face from conflict and sin really do matter to Him. 2. God commands unity, but unity doesnt equal uniformity. In Romans 12, Paul famously expounds on his analogy of the Church as one body with many members (Rom. 12:4). Each piece and part of this body has an individualized purpose and function. The eyes see, for example. The ears hear. The feet walk. The hands carry. No two parts of the human body are meant to be alike, just as no two people are expected to be alike in Gods church. Unity is not uniformity, according to scripture. Differences of personality, opinion, method, style, and even theological leaning will exist. We should expect it. We should also expect to embody compassion and humility in a way that values our uniqueness while celebrating our interconnectedness. In other words, we should radically strive for harmony and partnership, not division and discord. 3. Even without resolution, God promises to be with those who continually seek peace. One of the most misquoted scriptures in the entire New Testament is Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them. Often Christians share this verse to reassure one another of Gods presence, his intimacy and closeness in times of need. This isnt theologically incorrect. However, in its fuller context, this verse is the culmination of Jesus practical teachings on how to deal with conflict. In context, its meaning expresses something even richer: God is near to those who are willing to have difficult conversations, who pursue forgiveness, who seek reconciliation. But what about those who wont reconcile, you might ask? The underlying message of Matthew 18:15-20 also answers that question. We can establish boundaries, but we are to still treat people as we would any unbeliever with kindness, generosity, mercy, and respect. A.W. Tozer, in his popular book, The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine, puts it best. He writes, Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each must individually bow. Perhaps if we all took Tozers advice and daily tuned ourselves to Christ, wed unwittingly be meeting Gods other desire. Wed unify, being more in tune with each other too. Pakistan makes blasphemy law more stringent, sparking alarm among Christians Pakistan's Parliament has amended one of its blasphemy laws to increase the punishment for insulting the Prophet Muhammad's companions and other sacred personalities, sparking alarm among Christian leaders, who demanded quite the opposite its repeal. The Muslim-majority country's National Assembly this week passed the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, increasing the punishment for insulting the prophet's companions, wives, and family members to 10 years in prison, along with a fine of 1 million rupees (approximately $4,424 USD). The law as it was previously written only punished violators by up to three years in prison. Pakistan's Dawn newspaper said the bill was passed despite the absence of ministers, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, from the proceedings. International human rights activists have criticized the amendment. Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a United Kingdom-based organization that monitors global Christian persecution, warns that lawmakers passed the bill without debate and "have ignored the long-standing demands of civil society organizations and minority community leaders for the repeal of the blasphemy laws." "Pakistan must do more to protect its most vulnerable minority communities by upholding its international obligations and guarantees enshrined within the country's constitution, and the international community must hold the government to account for where it fails or refuses to do so,'" CSW founder Mervyn Thomas said in a statement. Criticizing the amendment, Peter Jacob, executive director of the Lahore-based Centre for Social Justice, told UCA News the politicians who pushed for it had ignored the fact that mob violence has been associated with the law, embedded in Sections 295 and 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The penal code already stipulates the death penalty for certain blasphemy convictions. "The amendment will encourage religion-based hatred and violence," human rights lawyer Nadeem Anthony told the news portal. "We reject religion-based discrimination. The lawmakers should instead focus on addressing economic and political issues facing the country." The most stringent aspect of Pakistan's blasphemy laws is found in section 295-C of Pakistan's Penal Code. Under the law, the use of derogatory remarks about Muhammad either spoken or written "shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine." Section 298 bans the defiling of the "sacred name of any wife (Ummul Mumineen), or members of the family (Ahle-bait), of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), or any of the righteous Caliphs (Khulafa-e-Rashideen) or companions (Sahaaba) of the Holy Prophet." Pakistan's blasphemy laws have long been used by radicals to target religious minorities Christians, Shias, Ahmadiyyas and Hindus. Dozens have been killed by mobs after being accused of the crime and dozens have been sentenced to death. Christian groups contend that Muslims misuse the law by making false allegations to win petty quarrels with Christians. The ban against blasphemy, which carries no provision to punish a false accuser or a false witness, was expanded in the 1980s under military dictator General Zia-ul-Haq. According to The New York Times, the British government enacted the original laws in the late 19th-century colonial era to keep people of different faiths from fighting each other. In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases that have brought international attention to the issue. In 2011, the governor of Pakistan's Punjab province, Salman Taseer, was assassinated by his bodyguard for speaking out against the blasphemy laws. In the same year, Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five, was sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy, sparking international outrage, leading to her acquittal in 2018 after spending eight years on death row. Her acquittal drew the ire of radical extremist groups, as many protested in the streets and threatened to kill the Supreme Court justices responsible for setting her free. In 2014, Christian couple Shehzad and Shamah Masih were burned to death in a brick kiln over false accusations that they had ripped pages out of the Quran. In 2020, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported that at least 69 people were killed extrajudicially in mob violence related to blasphemy allegations since 1990. Last June, a court in the Punjab province upheld the death sentences of Christian brothers Qaisar and Amoon Ayub, who were charged with posting blasphemous content on a blog. They maintain that they never created the blog. Last July, Ashfaq Masih was sentenced to death by hanging for blasphemy after being accused by a client who refused to pay him for a job. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Gettyimages By Lee Hae-rin At the end of the corridor on the fourth floor of Seoul's Yongsan Station stands an unusually silent and small nail salon. Only soft, calming music flows in the background in lieu of chatter between employees and customers. All nail artists here are women with hearing impairments. They communicate in written and spoken language by reading others' lips, sometimes with help from a tablet with an application that directly translates spoken word into text. Titled "Seom-seom-ok-soo," which translates into "slender and delicate hands," the 13-meter-square-sized nail bar provides free nail care service for passengers holding Korea Train Express (KTX) tickets valid that day. It is the result of a public-private partnership that enables women with disabilities to join the labor market and prove their own expertise. Baek Ji-yeon, 34, has been working there as a nail artist since April 2021. She majored in visual design in high school and dreamed of becoming a designer. She started working at a factory to earn money for university tuition after graduating high school, but people told her "there are so many people out there who are better than her," both in design and communication skills. For many years, she gave up on her dreams and worked at a cosmetics factory manufacturing hair dye products. From left, nail artists Youn Mi-rea and Baek Ji-yeon who have hearing impairments check reservation schedules for nail services at the nail bar "Seom-seom-ok-soo" at central Seoul's Yongsan Station, Wednesday. The nail bar, jointly sponsored by KORAIL, the Korea Employment Agency for Persons with Disabilities and the private sector, provides free nail care service for train passengers. Korea Times photo by Lee Hae-rin When she saw the job ad from Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL) and the Korea Employment Agency for Persons with Disabilities (KEAD) looking for female nail artists with hearing impairments, she thought it was "a chance that must not be lost." After six months of training at KEAD's research institute for vocational education in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, she officially became a professional nail artist and an employee of SK Shieldus, a security service company that sponsors the nail bar. She attained a national license in nail art and continues to work hard cultivating her expertise. For 29-year-old Kim A-ron and 25-year-old Youn Mi-rea, the nail bar is their first workplace. They both remember how happy they were during their first day on the job. Kim said she had also been frustrated to pursue her dreams in an artistic field like Baek. She has always been fond of art and skilled with her hands since childhood, majoring in Korean painting with dreams to become an illustrator. However, her dreams were let down as finding a job became even more difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic. "That's when I thought I must hone some specialized skills and techniques," Kim said. She joined the nail bar two years ago and works the morning shift with Baek and Youn. She already owns five licenses related to nail art, but still goes to study after work. Recently, she has been studying eyelash extension and ingrown toenail treatment. Nail artist Kim A-ron who has a hearing impairment trims the nails of a visitor at the nail bar, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Lee Hae-rin The nail service takes around 30 to 50 minutes. A customer may choose the style, shape and supplement options they wish and get their nails done while waiting for their train in soothing silence. Bottles of water, coffee and drinks are served, too. The nail bar is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Only about 10 people visit the nail bar per day, as it is still unknown to public. The three nail artists unanimously said the greatest reward for their work is when their customers show a big smile and tell them how much they love to see their nails polished. Some visitors have come back several times, and some have even gifted them with small snacks as a sign of appreciation. Launched in 2021, this is the fourth among the seven Seom-seom-ok-soo nail bars in the country. About 140 women work at nail bars nationwide located at train stations in Seoul's Yeongdeungpo, as well as Busan, Daejeon, Iksan, Ulsan, Gimcheon-Gumi and Anyang. It is a multilateral initiative supporting persons with disabilities in employment crisis during the coronavirus pandemic. KORAIL and Korea National Railway, which constructs railroads, provide space inside the train stations free of charge, while KEAD takes charge of staffing and disability recruitment consulting with companies and organizations. Companies like SK Shieldus, the current sponsor of the Yongsan nail bar, and some local governments recruit the women with hearing impairments and fill their disability recruitment quota. In 1991, Korea set a quota system which requires public and private companies to include persons with disabilities at a certain minimum percentage of their workforce. As of now the figure is at 3 percent. However, only 38.1 percent out of 2.64 million registered people with disabilities in Korea are engaged in economic activities, according to KEAD's latest report from 2022. In 2012, KEAD and its vocational research institute in Goyang's Ilsan District developed a nail art program for women with hearing impairments to diversify the occupations open to people with disabilities and improve working conditions especially for women, who are more vulnerable in the labor market. KEAD's latest statistics show that 23.1 percent of women with disabilities are employed. That contrasts with 46.2 percent of men with disabilities having jobs. Among them, 79.9 percent of employed women with disabilities are on irregular contracts, whereas the figure for men stands at 58.4 percent. "I hope more people with disabilities could get hope and take a challenge (to pursue their dreams). Also, I hope there would be more opportunities for them, as I have gotten mine," Baek said. The nail salon is located on the fourth floor of central Seoul's Yongsan Station. Reservations for Seom-seom-ok-soo nail bars nationwide can be made via their individual KakaoTalk chat channels. Seen is the exterior of the "Seom-seom-ok-soo" nail salon at Yongsan Station's fourth floor, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Lee Hae-rin The interview with the nail artists at "Seom-seom-ok-soo" nail salon at Yongsan Station was conducted with the help of Lee Hyun-ah of SK Shieldus. With proper safeguards, private surgical clinics can play an important role in reducing the stress on Ontario health care, 40 per cent of which is already privatized without issues or public concern. The Lunar New Year: A Time to Remember and Celebrate Canadas Diverse Heritage Vimal Sivakumar Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A Also known as the Spring Festival, Lunar New Year 2023 begins today on January 22 and ends on February 1. This year also carries added significance for Chinese Canadians across the country, as 2023 also marks the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act. What follows will cover the Lunar New Year celebration in Canada this year as well as the experiences of Chinese Canadians in this country over time, specifically in relation to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1923. Chinese New Year 2023 In Canada, Chinese Canadians are one of the largest ethnic groups in the country, representing slightly over 4.6% of the total population (1.71 million people) as of 2021. In other words, many Canadian citizens and permanent residents (PRs) celebrate this holiday every year. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Annually, communities across Canada organize Chinese New Year celebrations to mark the occasion for those who celebrate. For example, several malls and community spaces in Ontario held events including a lion dance parade/performance yesterday, which they will continue today. Likewise, Vancouvers Chinatown neighbourhood the largest in Canada will be hosting its 48th annual Chinese New Year parade today. According to the Chinese zodiac, in all regions except Vietnam, 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. This suggests that 2023 will be a good year for those of Chinese heritage, as it is predicted to be a year of hope [because] the Rabbit symbolizes longevity, peace and prosperity in Chinese culture. Note: In Vietnam, 2023 is the Year of the Cat Despite the fortunate outlook of 2023 according to the Chinese zodiac, it is also important to recognize that Canadas history with the Lunar New Year and the Chinese Canadian community has not always been one of blissful acceptance and celebration. Canadas history with the Chinese Canadian community While the immigration of Chinese people to Canada can be traced back to the 1700s, history dating back less than 150 years provides a good deal of insight into the tensions that existed between Canada and the Chinese community. In 1923, following 37 years of a head tax being imposed on people of Chinese origin, Chinese immigration to Canada was completely banned for more than 20 years thanks to the Chinese Exclusion Act. Note: The head tax passed as part of the 1885 Chinese Immigration Act meant that every person of Chinese origin immigrating to Canada had to pay a fee. This fee started at $50 per person before being raised to $100 in 1990 and then $500 just three years later. It is said that approximately 81,000 immigrants paid this head tax over 37 years. This ban on immigration from China led to significant ramifications for those seeking entry into Canada but also for those who were already inside the country. According to a story by Matthew McRae, who interviewed University of British Columbia history professor Henry Yu, until the late 1940s, the Chinese in British Columbia were not allowed to swim in pools with whites and [they] were segregated in movie theatres. Many Chinese immigrants lived in fear of being deported because authorities would often look for reasons to remove people from the country. Despite the end of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1947, few Chinese immigrants were let into the country until 1967 and those who did come to Canada were usually only granted access for family reunification purposes. The current state of the Chinese Canadian community People of Chinese origin, including both Canadian-born Chinese people and naturalized Chinese immigrants, represent slightly under 5% of Canadas population according to the 2021 census. Next to Canadians with Indian heritage, the Chinese Canadian community is now the second-largest ethnic group of Canadians of Asian descent. After a strained history between Canada and Chinese people in this country, although things are nowhere near perfect, the state of the Chinese Canadian community is now trending upwards. In fact, Chinese Canadians are at the core of some of the most notable contributions made across the entire country. Chinese Canadians who have made a remarkable impact in this country include Adrienne Clarkson the 26th Governor General of Canada and Vivienne Poy, the first Canadian of Asian heritage ever appointed to the Senate of Canada. Poy is also credited as being a driving force behind establishing May as Asian Heritage Month in Canada. In a more recent example, a Chinese Canadian small business owner in Nova Scotia made headlines for an act of extreme generosity back in September 2022. Carol Yang, the owner of Jays Chicken and Pizza, handed out 2000 free meals to local residents in the aftermath of tropical storm Fiona over a two-day period. Looking ahead It is important to always, but especially at moments like this, remember and acknowledge the history of the Chinese Canadian community in Canada. Looking back at such history, or that of any racialized group in Canada, serves as a necessary reminder of the ongoing need for acceptance and inclusion for all communities in Canada as well as the importance of learning from past mistakes to build a better future. Lunar New Year 2023 and COVID-19 Returning briefly to the conversation around Lunar New Year, the marquee holiday is bringing with it a travel rush that coincides with a surge of Coronavirus cases in China. This surge has caused Canada to impose sanctions on incoming air travellers from China (as well as Hong Kong and Macao). Travellers from these countries must, for an initial period of 30 days beginning on January 5 of this year, present a negative test result taken less than two days before their departure on a flight destined for Canada. This is important to note for any Canadians who are expecting family or other loved ones to fly in from China to celebrate the holiday. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options. People who have family members in North Korea visit Imjingak near Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Jan. 22, to remember the relatives they have been separated from, for the Lunar New Year. Imjingak is close to the border and a North Korean village is just visible to the naked eye in the background. Yonhap An upper-class family in the late 19th or early 20th century Robert Neff Collection By Robert Neff Korea, in the early months of 1885, was in turmoil. A failed coup attempt in December 1884 resulted in large numbers of Japanese and Chinese soldiers being encamped in Seoul and the surrounding region a conflict between these two countries on Korean soil was a real possibility. Blood was being spilled in the streets by the Korean authorities. Rebels were executed and their bodies left as graphic warnings to the public. It doesn't challenge the imagination to assume that many Koreans hoped the Lunar New Year (Feb. 15 that year) would bring desperately needed change and peace. In his diary, Horace N. Allen, an American missionary and doctor, described the events surrounding the Lunar New Year holiday in 1885. Some of his observations were rather benign: "Just now the people are busy flying kites. Men and boys devote their time to this amusement and seem happy." Some of his other remarks were more caustic: "[The] city has put on a holiday attire If a collection of decayed straw stacks could be capable of such an act." A small hardware shop in the early 20th century Robert Neff Collection Just prior to the holiday, barter was unrestricted in the market (various guilds usually controlled it) and "all persons may sell whatever they have to offer. Consequently the big street is lined with markets most conspicuous among the good are the lots of brass work grouped together and brightly gleaming in the sun." The brass items mainly candlesticks, spoons, chopsticks, bowls, basins and spittoons were "all nicely done but quite expensive." But the high prices weren't confined to brass goods. Cotton, a staple lining for Korean clothing, cost 50 cents a pound (450 grams) an outrageous price when compared to the prices (12 cents to 15 cents) in the northern states of the U.S. In the Korean market, silk sold for 40 cents a yard (90 centimeters) and was of poorer quality than the "sleazy summer silks" sold in the United States for 30 cents a yard. The vegetables on sale were "a coarse tough lettuce" and "a hybrid between a radish and a turnip." Chickens and fish were sold for 20 cents each and beef, "enough for two dishes of soup," for 10 cents. Its origin was "usually a worn out bull who has happened to die or injure himself." Perhaps the most expensive aspect of living in Seoul at least for Allen was keeping his house warm. "Wood is expensive, it takes one horse load to warm one kan [a Korean measurement of space between two pillars] for a day. This costs 30c and a house costs $1.00 a day at least to be kept warm. The poor steal their wood, burn manure straw etc." Exasperated by the rising prices, Allen added, "It is a wonder how these people live." Wood merchants in Seoul in the late 19th or early 20th century Courtesy of Diane Nars Collection The common people were not the only ones preparing for the event. A Korean official from the palace asked Allen for some hair oil for the king. Apparently, the official had first visited the American Legation but George C. Foulk the American representative couldn't provide any and suggested the official ask Allen. "I had nothing but some common sweet oil," Allen wrote, but the Korean official "thought that would do well if I could flavor it. I had only cinnamon and peppermint oils. He fancied the peppermint and I put it in liberally. He went off happy and the Palace will be duly stunk up for the New Year, [with] a stink new to the [noses of the court]." On New Year's Day, Allen and his wife, Fannie, decided to take advantage of the unusually quiet afternoon by walking down the city's main street to examine "the big curfew bell" at Jongno. He was impressed with the "bright clean gowns" of the people and delighted that the shops were all closed business suspended for the holiday. Despite the festive atmosphere, there was an underlying fear amongst the handful of Westerners living in Seoul a fear that the Korean government also shared. When Allen and his wife walked to the bell, they were accompanied by six soldiers who were tasked with keeping "the crowd well back" from the Americans. Fortunately, there was no trouble that day, but there were scares over the next couple of weeks. One night, Allen and his small family heard a loud commotion coming from the streets the sound of people shouting. He feared that it might be one of the greatest banes to the city's residents, a fire or, in light of recent events (even though he doesn't say it in his diary), another coup attempt. Selling vegetables in the market in the early 20th century Robert Neff Collection Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrives at his office in Tokyo Friday, Jan. 20. AP-Yonhap Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is considering visiting Kyiv in February and holding talks with Ukraine's President Volodomyr Zelenskiy, according to the Yomiuri newspaper, citing Japanese government sources. As chair of the Group of Seven (G7) leading economies this year, Japan wants to show it intends to keep providing support to Ukraine while it also aims to release a statement with Kyiv condemning Russia's aggression, the Yomiuri said. Kishida will make a final decision about whether to go ahead with the visit based on the state of the war in Ukraine, according to the unnamed sources. Japan's foreign ministry was not immediately available to comment on the report. Speaking on a television program Sunday, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara said the idea was something Japan must contemplate as chair of the G7 this year. "But nothing has been decided at this stage," he said, when asked about the possibility of the visit. Earlier this month, the Japanese leader told Zelenskiy in a phone call that he would weigh an invitation to visit Kyiv depending on "various circumstances." Japan will host the annual G7 summit in May in Hiroshima, when Ukraine is expected to be a major topic of discussion. The other G7 countries are the United States, Canada, Germany, Britain, France and Italy. (Reuters) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 22) There is no increase in the teachers honoraria for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in October as the proposed additional 10-billion budget did not push through, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said. Dahil nga po sa kakulangan ng budget ay minarapat po natin na i-fix na lang po ang kanilang matatanggap sa 6,000 sa electoral board chairman, 5,000 sa mga members po, at yong ibang precinct workers 4,000, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia told reporters on Saturday. [Translation: Because of the tight budget, we have fixed their honoraria at 6,000 for the electoral board chairman, 5,000 for the members, and 4,000 for other precinct workers.] Congress only allocated an additional 2.7 billion for the BSKE. Sen. Imee Marcos earlier said the requested additional 10 billion was an "outrageous demand." The 2.7 billion would be on top of the 8.441 billion that the poll body received last year for the postponed BSKE scheduled for last December. Garcia said the readjusted budget will be 2.7 billion to 3 billion if the number of new voters will reach 1.5 million to cover expenses for additional precincts and ballots. READ: Comelec: New voters for barangay, SK polls reach 1M; extension unlikely The Comelec chief also said the poll body is looking for ways to help teachers as the counting of votes will be manual, and he is still hopeful that Congress could still increase the teachers honoraria. "As far as the 8.441 billion, 'yun po ay sapat lamang para doon sa original honoraria ng ating mga guroSubalit, alam niyo naman po kapag tayo ay nagkakaroon ng budget hearing, ito po ay isasalang sa budget deliberation ng ating Kongreso at ng ating Senado. Di po natin alam baka po sakaling sila naman ay magbigay ng karagdang matatangap ng ating mga kababayang electoral board members," he explained. [Translation: The 8.441 billion is only enough for the original honoraria of our teachersBut then again, we know that if there will be a budget hearing, the proposed pay hike will be included in the deliberation of the House of Representatives and Senate. We dont know, maybe they might allot additional pay for electoral board members.] There is no tax exemption for poll workers honoraria as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vetoed the proposed measure in July 2022, explaining it runs counter to the governments tax program. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 22) President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. asked Filipinos to show compassion to the poor as the country celebrates the Chinese New Year. "May this auspicious day not only remind us of the blessings we have at hand, but also inspire us to exercise deeper compassion to those who have less in life," Marcos said in a statement on Sunday. "Truly, I am glad to begin this fresh chapter with you all - especially with our Filipino-Chinese communities in the country - in securing the good fortune, joy, and harmony that will be our guiding light in writing our shared history anew," he added. Marcos also called on Filipinos to work hand-in-hand and "be renewed with a sense of solidarity from which our hopes for a better tomorrow will spring forth." The president earlier announced that his meetings with Chinese businessmen during his trip to Beijing yielded a total of $22.8 billion (or over 1.2 trillion) in investment pledges. The commitments include $13.76 billion for renewable energy, $7.32 billion for electric vehicle and mineral processing, and $1.72 billion for agribusiness. Marcos reiterated that the Philippines will remain "a friend to all, and an enemy to none" despite a lingering maritime dispute with China. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 22) Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri confirmed that Sen. Mark Villar filed the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill last week. "I hope that he calls in the soonest possible time, magtawag na po siya ng committee hearing para mapag-diskusyon na po natin ito ng mga miyembro ng Senado," Zubiri said in a radio interview on Saturday. [Translation: I hope that he calls in the soonest possible time a committee hearing so members of the Senate can begin discussing.] Zubiri added that Villar, who heads the Senate Committee on Banks and Financial Institutions, was qualified to file the MIF as he accompanied President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on foreign trips where the issue was discussed. "Kasama nya naman si Presidente kapag umiikot sa abroad, sa mga presidential trips and visits, at pinag-uusapan nila 'yung Maharlika fund so I think he is well adapt and well-versed on the needs of the Maharlika fund at gusto na po namin siya tanungin kung ano ba ang plano niya dito sa wealth fund na ito," Zubiri said. [Translation: He was with the president when he is abroad on presidential trips and visits where they talk about the Maharlika fund so I think he is well adapt and well-versed on the needs of the Maharlika fund and we want to ask him what his plans for this wealth fund are.] The government will use the MIF to invest in key sectors like foreign currencies, domestic and foreign corporate bonds, commercial real estate, and infrastructure projects to help fund the country's priority programs. READ: The proposed Maharlika Investment Fund: What you need to know Zubiri said he has not yet read a copy of the bill filed by Villar, but he was informed it was same as the one passed by the House of Representatives last December. Marcos brought up the MIF during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, saying it was part of the administration's efforts to further diversify the country's financial portfolio. Marcos said the MIF's creation was "underway." Before he left for Manila, Marcos said the MIF bill was being tailored to suit the needs of the country. This was after Albay Rep. Joey Salceda also revealed there will be a new, "re-engineered" version of the bill, which will drop the dividends from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as capital source. Salceda also said they eye to raise money for the MIF through an initial public offering (IPO). No copy of the revised bill has been made available as of publishing. For fellow Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, the modifications show the MIF is an ill-prepared economic measure which was fast-tracked at the House of Representatives. He also questioned the revisions, as the bill already hurdled the lower chamber last month. "Since the so-called 're-engineering' of the [fund] was not deliberated in the House of Representatives, the approval of the bill must be recalled so that the House can further deliberate on the belated innovations," Lagman said. The lawmaker further stressed that a sovereign wealth fund must be essentially controlled by the government and not eventually by the private sector through an IPO. In the Senate, the proposed sovereign fund has also been met with opposition. For one, Sen. Koko Pimentel said its "soft launch" at the WEF was premature and a means to hurry up its enactment. House Speaker Martin Romualdez, meanwhile, came to the defense of the fund, saying there was "no time to waste" when it comes to the MIF. "With all due respect, it's already been filed in the Senate. For all those Senators who have contrary thoughts just read the bill and deliberate it from the Senate. Let's take it from there," he said. In the radio interview, Zubiri said the most realistic timeline for the Senate to decide on the MIF would be close to the middle of the year. "I think by committee level matatapos na po natin iyan by then because we only have about two months before the Holy Week adjournment, end of March, so mayroon po tayong panahon para sa committee level and of course committee report para isponsor sa plenaryo," he said. "Maybe a few debates on the floor, realistically, sa tingin ko baka, baka first week or second week of May pag-uwi po natin galing sa Holy Week break. Iyan po ang ating realistic scenario." [Translation: I think by committee level we will finish it by then because we only have about two months before the Holy Week adjournment, end of March, so we have time for the committee level and of course committee report for sponsorship at the plenary. Maybe a few debates on the floor, realistically, I believe around the first week or second week of May when we return from the Holy Week break, that is the most realistic scenario.] RELATED: Romualdez: House ensures transparency in Maharlika Investment Fund Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 22) Senate President Miguel Zubiri on Saturday said many senators are in favor of amending the law that set a three-year term for ranking officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to appease grumblings in the military. READ: Galvez admits 'grumblings' within AFP over fixed term law Bago po kami nag-break noong December pinag-usapan na po namin iyan ng marami nating kasamahan (Before we went on recess last December we talked about it with several of our colleagues), and they mentioned their willingness to amend the law, Zubiri said in an interview. Pabor sila na amendyahan muli ang batas (They are in favor of amending the law) to capture the essence of the law from the very beginning, which is only to have the leadership on a fixed term, he said. Leadership lamang po of the AFP...Malakas ang kutob ko na maipapasa po natin ito. [Translation: Just the leadership of the AFP I have a feeling this will be passed.] READ: Senate 'hell-bent' on amending AFP fixed term law Zubiri Republic Act No. 11709, or the Act Strengthening Professionalism in the AFP, that took effect in July 2022 aims to put a stop to the "revolving door policy" in which military chiefs serve for only a few months before their mandatory retirement. The law states that the following will have a fixed tour of duty of three years: Chief of Staff, Vice Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Commanding General of the Army, Commanding General of the Air Force, Flag Officer in Command of the Navy, Unified Command Commanders and Inspector General. However, Galvez said R.A. 11709 has affected the morale of some soldiers as the law could also derail the promotion of about 135,000 enlisted personnel, particularly officers from the rank of private to first chief master sergeant. Zubiri said the original plan is to fix the term of the Chief of Staff to promote continuity in the AFP. He also said he is in favor of Galvezs suggestion to the Senate Committee on National Defense that only the Chief of Staff will have a three-year term, while the chiefs of the Air Force, Army and Navy will have two years. READ: Galvez says rumblings within military merely tampo over new law on fixed terms Despite the reported grumblings in the AFP, Zubiri said he is not worried about stability in the military. I strongly and strongly believe na ang (that the) AFP is a professional force. Iba na po yung sa 1970s na nangyari. Yung mga nagkaroon ng mga usaping coup d'etat. Malayo na po sa isipan ng mga sundalo po natin. [Translation: It's not the same as what happened in the 1970s, when there were talks about coup d'etat. That is far from the minds of our soldiers now.] He also said the Senate will study the amendments to the measure on the militarys pension fund, which is currently sourced from the General Appropriations Act (GAA). Were paying more pension of the retired military personnel than active personnel...Actually kausap ko si Wick Veloso, head ng GSIS (Government Service Insurance System). Sabi nga niya, Simplify na lang natin, Migz. Lets come up with a law. Just add on our budget the initial one or two years. Willing po kami sa GSIS na tanggapin ang pension fund ng ating mga beterano, Zubiri explained. [Translation: I spoke to Wick Veloso, the head of the GSIS. He said, lets simplify it, Migz. Lets come up with a law. Just add on our budget the initial one or two years. The GSIS is willing to accept the pension fund of our veterans.] Related: DBM disburses over 14-B military pensions (CNN) Eight in 10 people in China have now been infected with Covid-19, a prominent government scientist has claimed. Wu Zunyou, the chief epidemiologist of China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said on Saturday the eve of the Lunar New Year that the present "wave of epidemic has already infected about 80% of the people" in the country of 1.4 billion people. His claim came amid concerns the travel rush that takes place around the Lunar New Year holiday period sometimes dubbed the 'world's largest human migration' could spread the virus to the countryside and cause a second wave of infections. But Wu, speaking on his personal social media account, said this scenario was unlikely as so many people had already caught it. "In the next two to three months, the possibility of a large-scale Covid-19 rebound or a second wave of infections across the country is very small," Wu said. China's Ministry of Transport estimates over 2 billion passenger trips will take place during the 40-day Lunar New Year season as people across the country return to their hometowns for family reunions for the first time without domestic travel restrictions since the start of the pandemic over three years ago. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported on Sunday that more than 26 million passenger trips were taken on the eve of Lunar New Year. That is only half of the number of travelers from the same day in 2019, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, but 50.8% higher than 2022, it said. More than 4.1 million people traveled by train and 756,000 people by air for holiday reunions on the day before the start of Lunar New Year, CCTV added. The country's road transport system registered more than 20 million passenger trips on the same day, 55.1 % higher than the number from 2022. As of Friday, China's transport system had handled over 560 million passenger trips in the first 15 days of the 40-day ongoing Spring Festival travel rush via rail, highway, water, and air, up 47.9% from the same period last year, according to CCTV. Skepticism over infection figures Previously, research by the National School of Development at Peking University had suggested more than 900 million people, or 64% of the Chinese population, were "likely" to have been infected with Covid-19 as of January 11. The university's research also suggested the epidemic peaked across much of the country on December 20, about 13 days after China began easing its Covid restrictions. By the end of December, infections had peaked everywhere in the country, according to the research. Chinese health authorities have made similar claims, saying on Thursday that visits to clinics for fever and Covid hospitalizations in China have declined since their peaks in late December and early January respectively. According to the authorities, the number of Covid patients needing critical care in hospitals has also peaked. Nearly 60,000 people with Covid died in Chinese hospitals between December 8 and January 12 after China abruptly scraped its "zero-Covid" policies, according to government data. However, the World Health Organization's executive director for health emergencies Mike Ryan suggested earlier this month that the numbers released by China "under-represent the true impact of the disease" in terms of hospital and ICU admissions, as well as deaths. According to an internal estimate from the nation's top health officials, in the first 20 days of December almost 250 million people in China may have caught Covid. If correct, the estimate which CNN cannot independently confirm would account for roughly 18% of China's population. This story was first published on CNN.com, "China says 80% of population have had Covid-19, as millions travel for Lunar New Year" KANSAS Warning about aquifer's decline sets up big fight TOPEKA Kansas water experts are sounding an alarm decades in the making: Farmers and ranchers in the state's western half must stop pumping more water out of a vast aquifer than nature puts back each year or risk the economic collapse of a region important to the U.S. food supply. The Kansas Water Authority is telling state lawmakers that Kansas needs to break sharply with its decadeslong policy of slowing depletion while still allowing water levels to drop in the Ogallala Aquifer. The aquifer covers roughly 175,000 square miles in the western and Great Plains states of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming and South Dakota. Most of those states have areas where depletion is a problem, but the call in Kansas to "halt" the declines has farmers, ranchers and politically influential agriculture groups preparing to battle proposals that would give them less control over water and possibly could force them to cultivate fewer acres, buy expensive new equipment or turn on a dime to grow different crops. Imposing the Water Authority's policy means agribusinesses that drive the region's economy would have to consume less water perhaps as much as 30% less in some areas. Lawmakers also would have to decide whether local officials would keep driving conservation efforts or if the state would be in charge. Kansas produces more than 20% of the nation's wheat and has about 18% of the cattle being fed in the U.S. The recommendation on the Ogallala from the water authority is a response to data showing that since widespread pumping began around 1940, much of the Ogallala has lost at least 30% of its available water and more than 60% in places in western Kansas. WYOMING Governor tells state to make hay' amid near-$1B surplus CHEYENNE Booming oil and gas revenue has put Wyoming back among states with big budget surpluses but Republican Gov. Mark Gordon cautioned lawmakers on Jan. 11 to save, not splurge, out of concern that tough times will eventually return. "As a Wyoming rancher, I know the value of a good hay year. Because they do not always come around, it is important that we make hay when the conditions are right," Gordon told a joint session of the Wyoming Legislature in his annual state of the state speech. A year ago, Wyoming was still clawing back from a deficit that threatened to top $1 billion, amid struggles with low oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Wyoming's looking at a surplus approaching $1 billion, thanks to higher energy prices. Wyoming is a leading producer of oil and gas and the top U.S. producer of coal, an industry with fewer gyrations but in steady decline nonetheless. Gordon cautioned against big spending, asking legislators who kicked off a two-month session on Jan. 10 to set aside half of Wyoming's surplus in state savings accounts. Wyoming has a two-year budget. He also outlined a few spending priorities in the speech. They include more raises for state employees including snowplow drivers, troopers, nurses and social workers; maintaining funding for the state economic development agency; and storing water amid pressure to send more down the Colorado River drainage. Even if Gordon wanted, the state's overwhelmingly Republican statehouse would be unlikely to bulk up a budget he described as the leanest in a decade, with an eye toward the state's boom-and-bust economy eventually sliding back to bust. NAVAJO NATION Buu Nygren sworn in as tribe's youngest-ever president FORT DEFIANCE, Ariz. Buu Nygren was sworn in on Jan. 10 as the next president of the vast Navajo Nation, a job that will test his ability to make good on promises to deliver water, electricity and broadband to tens of thousands of residents who don't have it. Nygren beat out incumbent President Jonathan Nez in the tribe's general election by about 3,500 votes. Nygren, 36, took the oath of office during a ceremony that highlighted the challenges he grew up with and, later, academic and business successes that helped him ascend as the youngest person to hold the tribal presidency. Nygren stood amid hand-woven Navajo rugs and blankets as he addressed the crowd in a mix of Navajo and English, saying his administration's mission is simple: bring basic services to Navajo people so they can do more than survive. The inauguration took place at an indoor arena in Fort Defiance, just north of the tribal capital of Window Rock, and featured an all-women color guard. Thousands attended the ceremony, many donning turquoise and silver jewelry, moccasins, crushed velvet or ribbon skirts, or business attire. Nygren is half Vietnamese but never knew his father. He was raised on the Utah portion of the reservation in a home without electricity or running water, he said, and has a background in construction management. NEW MEXICO State lawmakers seek to prohibit local abortion bans SANTA FE Local governments across New Mexico would be prohibited from placing restrictions on abortion access under initiatives outlined by Democratic state legislators on Jan. 13. A companion initiative aims to protect doctors who perform abortion and patients from harassment and investigations by out-of-state interests. The two legislative proposals, still in the drafting stage, would shore up abortion rights across the Democratic-led state in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision last year that overturned Roe v. Wade and left legalization up to the states. In 2021, New Mexico lawmakers repealed a dormant 1969 statute that outlawed most abortion procedures. But the city of Hobbs in the state's southeast has adopted an ordinance designed to block abortion clinics from operating, and at least one nearby county has approved an anti-abortion resolution. The proposals build on an executive order from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham barring cooperation with other states that might interfere with abortion access in New Mexico, including any possible arrest warrants or requests for assistance and information in seeking sanctions against local abortion providers. Lujan Grisham won reelection in November while casting herself as a staunch defender of abortion access and vowing to channel $10 million in public funding toward the construction of a reproductive health care clinic in southern New Mexico that will offer the procedure. Republicans in New Mexico's legislative minority have characterized as extremist state laws that protect access to abortion at all stages of pregnancy. Feral cows face removal from national forest ALBUQUERQUE Federal authorities have a plan to remove feral cows that are roaming New Mexico's Gila National Forest and causing damage by over-grazing and trampling stream banks. The Albuquerque Journal reports feral cattle have inhabited the forest since the 1970s and the U.S. Forest Service began its efforts to remove them in the 1990s. More than 700 cattle have been removed and the U.S. Forest Service estimates there still are 50 to 250 feral cows roaming the Gila. The Forest Service used lethal methods to remove 65 cattle in one operation last February, according to the Journal. The Forest Service's proposed plan would make both lethal and non-lethal methods available to remove the remaining population of unbranded cattle, according to the Journal. New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association President Loren Patterson disagrees with the plan to use lethal on-site measures. He said the carcasses are left in place and the meat is wasted as opposed to the cattle going to auction, and the practice poses a risk of giving predators a taste for cattle. 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. Bailey Stover is a multimedia journalist with The Missourian. She is pursuing a double major in Journalism and Spanish and a double minor in Public Health and Sociology at the University of Missouri. She can be reached by email at bascnh@mail.missouri.edu. Follow this search 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 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. Medical workers talk to a woman as an elderly patient receives medical treatment in the hallway of an emergency ward in a Beijing hospital, Jan. 19. AP-Yonhap The possibility of a big COVID-19 rebound in China over the next two or three months is remote as 80 percent of people have been infected, a prominent government scientist said Saturday. The mass movement of people during the ongoing Lunar New Year holiday period may spread the pandemic, boosting infections in some areas, but a second wave of the coronavirus is unlikely in the near term, Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist at the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said on the Weibo social media platform. Hundreds of millions of Chinese are travelling across the country for holiday reunions that had been suspended under recently eased COVID curbs, raising fears of fresh outbreaks in rural areas less equipped to manage large outbreaks. China has passed the peak of COVID patients in fever clinics, emergency rooms and with critical conditions, a National Health Commission official said Thursday. Nearly 60,000 people have died from COVID in hospital as of Jan. 12, roughly a month after China abruptly dismantled its zero-COVID policy, according to government data. But some experts said that figure probably vastly undercounts the full impact, as it excludes those who died at home, and because many doctors have said they are discouraged from citing COVID as a cause of death. (Reuters) Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House John Kirby speaks beside monitors depicting images that the White House says show North Korean arms being transported by Russian railcars, during a news briefing in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, 20 Jan. 20. EPA-Yonhap The head of the Russian private military contractor Wagner published a short letter to the White House, Saturday, asking what crime his company was accused of, after Washington announced new sanctions on the group. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said Friday that Wagner, which has been supporting Russian forces in their invasion of Ukraine and claiming credit for battlefield advances, would be designated a significant Transnational Criminal Organization. A letter in English addressed to Kirby and posted on the Telegram channel of Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin's press service read: "Dear Mr Kirby, Could you please clarify what crime was committed by PMC Wagner?" Kirby called Wagner "a criminal organization that is committing widespread atrocities and human rights abuses." Last month, the White House said Wagner had taken delivery of an arms shipment from North Korea to help bolster Russian forces in Ukraine. North Korea's Foreign Ministry called the report groundless and Prigozhin at the time denied taking such a delivery, calling the report "gossip and speculation." Washington had already imposed curbs on trade with Wagner in 2017 and again in December in an attempt to restrict its access to weaponry. In December 2021, the European Union imposed its own sanctions on Wagner, which has been active in Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic, Sudan, Mozambique and Mali, as well as Ukraine. Prigozhin has described Wagner as a fully independent force with its own aircraft, tanks, rockets and artillery. He is wanted in the United States for interference in U.S. elections, something that he said in November he had done and would continue to do. (Reuters) The access road to President Joe Biden's home in Wilmington, Del., is seen from a media van, Jan. 13. AP-Yonhap A new search of President Joe Biden's home in Wilmington, Delaware by the U.S. Justice Department, Friday, led to the discovery of six more classified documents, a lawyer for the president said in a statement Saturday night. Some of the classified documents and "surrounding materials" dated from Biden's tenure in the U.S. Senate, where he represented Delaware from 1973 to 2009, according to his lawyer, Bob Bauer. Other documents were from his tenure as vice president in the Obama administration, from 2009 through 2017, Bauer said. The Department of Justice also took some notes that Biden had personally handwritten as vice president, according to the lawyer. The president offered access "to his home to allow DOJ to conduct a search of the entire premises for potential vice-presidential records and potential classified material," Bauer said. Neither Biden nor his wife were present during the search, the attorney said. Biden is in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, for the weekend. Other classified government records were discovered this month at Biden's Wilmington residence, and in November at a private office he maintained at a Washington, D.C., think tank after ending his tenure as vice president in the Obama administration in 2017. The search shows federal investigators are swiftly moving forward with the investigation into classified documents found in Biden's possession. This month, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland named a special counsel to probe the matter. President Joe Biden speaks in the East Room of the White House to mayors attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter meeting in Washington, Jan. 20. AP-Yonhap During my 30-year police career, I tried to put justice and the rights of victims ahead of preserving the Mets reputation. When dangerous serving officers accused of racism and violence were hauled before me, I dismissed them. But that was rarely the end of the matter. Astonishingly, top brass would sometimes reinstate them, ignoring multiple red flags about their behaviour. A disgrace to their uniform, a danger to the public, they were allowed to continue serving. This all took place about 20 years ago around the same time David Carrick joined the Met. Last week, he was unmasked as a violent sexual predator, admitting 49 charges of rape and sexual abuse against 12 women. He used his warrant card and his work guarding Parliament, embassies and government buildings to impress those he preyed on. It makes me think that little has changed. This case has prompted me to recall the many other examples of how the Met has failed to weed out criminals in its ranks. During my 30-year police career, I tried to put justice and the rights of victims ahead of preserving the Mets reputation. When dangerous serving officers accused of racism and violence were hauled before me, I dismissed them By far the bleakest I was involved in concerned an officer called Mark Tuffey. In 1995, he arrested Brian Douglas, 33, a black man from South London, over a traffic offence, and beat him with a baton. Five days later, Mr Douglas died of a fractured skull and brain damage By far the bleakest I was involved in concerned an officer called Mark Tuffey. In 1995, he arrested Brian Douglas, 33, a black man from South London, over a traffic offence, and beat him with a baton. Five days later, Mr Douglas died of a fractured skull and brain damage. Tuffey told an inquest he hit Mr Douglass shoulder and the baton accidentally slipped. But medical evidence suggested the force of the blow was equivalent to Mr Douglas being dropped from 11 times his own height. THE inquest jury returned a verdict of misadventure and Tuffey remained in the force. A few years later, when I was a chief superintendent, I was told to take him in my borough as he was being returned to uniformed duty after an allegation was made by a woman he met at a dance. The allegation was not pursued. Shortly after, it was reported to me that Tuffey had hit a suspect in the face while the suspect was restrained on the ground by two officers. His inspector asked me to write off a complaint made by a witness because Tuffey had been spoken to. I refused and visited the complainant, urging him to support a formal investigation. He didnt because he had the clear impression the police werent interested. It was only in 2006 that Tuffeys career ended after he lost an appeal against a conviction for shouting racially aggravated abuse at a suspect. He resigned. How many red flags did the Met need? How many second chances was he given? Police officers just shouldnt attack suspects who are already being safely held. But it shows how this idea that the rank and file protect their own is not always the case. In my experience, top brass thwarted attempts by the shop floor to remove officers This was not an isolated example. I presided over many misconduct hearings. Now, most are overseen by independent, legally qualified chairs. But then, even when police chiefs held the power to fire corrupt officers, they seemed intent on finding excuses to avoid doing so. One case I remember involved the high-speed chase of a stolen car. The driver had jumped out and sprinted into an office full of people. Two officers gave chase and caught him, grabbing an arm each. When the officer who had begun the chase caught up with them, he punched the offender in the face. The panel I chaired agreed such gratuitous violence had no place in the service. His two colleagues gave evidence against him, and he was dismissed. But this was reversed after he appealed to a senior-ranking officer, who agreed hed received bad legal advice recommending he should deny the offence, even though an office full of people saw it. The superior concluded he should have admitted the punch and offered mitigating circumstances. Police officers just shouldnt attack suspects who are already being safely held. But it shows how this idea that the rank and file protect their own is not always the case. In my experience, top brass thwarted attempts by the shop floor to remove officers. A similar case which came before me involved a white traffic officer who launched into a prolonged, vile, racist tirade against a black driver. The driver had undoubtedly taken liberties speeding past a marked traffic car and deserved the verbal warning that was delivered. Today, the Met is reviewing hundreds of allegations of sexual assault and violence against officers and staff over a decade. This is only worthwhile, of course, if police chiefs are given the power and find the courage unlike their predecessors to sack those found to be corrupt. Otherwise, the Met risks losing the publics trust, the very cornerstone of policing in Britain But he did not deserve the names he was called. The outburst was so appalling that the officers partner, who had worked alongside him for ten years, reported it. The panel agreed he should be dismissed. He, too, appealed to a more senior officer and got his job back on the grounds he had not done a two-day race-relations course. To me, that was a technicality. You dont need a course to tell you not to be a racist. One of the saddest cases involved a superintendent and a female probationer at a work Christmas party in a pub. She said he followed her into the ladies, pushed open the cubicle door and raped her. She initially kept it secret, fearing it would end her police career. Later, when she confided in officers at a residential course, she was placed in the care of Operation Sapphire, the specialist rape investigation unit. But the department that monitored professional standards cast doubt on her story, saying it couldnt have happened the way she said. An Operation Sapphire officer came to see me, clearly upset, to say that even though the woman was willing to give evidence at a misconduct hearing, the superintendent had been allowed to retire on a full pension with no sanction. Today, the Met is reviewing hundreds of allegations of sexual assault and violence against officers and staff over a decade. This is only worthwhile, of course, if police chiefs are given the power and find the courage unlike their predecessors to sack those found to be corrupt. Otherwise, the Met risks losing the publics trust, the very cornerstone of policing in Britain. Brian Paddick served in the Met for more than 30 years. His career was cut short when he revealed the true story of the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes, an innocent man shot by Met officers in 2005. A police officer who probes misconduct in the Met is being investigated himself after being accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague He is being investigated over claims he sexually assaulted a female colleague Scotland Yard is urgently investigating more than 1,000 officers and staff By Ian Gallagher For The Mail On Sunday A serving police officer who probes misconduct in the Met is himself being investigated over claims he sexually assaulted a female colleague. The police constable was arrested last June and later released pending further inquiries. It is understood the woman had previously complained about his alleged inappropriate behaviour. The man, who was on duty at the time of the alleged attack, works as a professional standards officer for the Mets South Area Command. His case came to light as it was revealed scandal-hit Scotland Yard is urgently investigating more than 1,000 officers and staff following the exposure of David Carrick, one of Britains worst rapists. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley admitted his force let women and girls down by failing to spot signs that Carrick, a 48-year-old constable, was a dangerous predator. A serving police officer who probes misconduct in the Met is himself being investigated over claims he sexually assaulted a female colleague. The police constable was arrested last June and later released pending further inquiries. It is understood the woman had previously complained about his alleged inappropriate behaviour His case came to light as it was revealed scandal-hit Scotland Yard is urgently investigating more than 1,000 officers and staff following the exposure of David Carrick, one of Britains worst rapists. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley admitted his force let women and girls down by failing to spot signs that Carrick, a 48-year-old constable, was a dangerous predator Carrick had been reported for crimes nine times since 2000. But he kept his job as an armed officer in Scotland Yards parliamentary and diplomatic protection unit. He abused that elite position to coerce terrified victims in a depraved campaign of sexual abuse. Carrick admitted 49 charges, including 24 counts of rape, stretching from 2003 to 2020. The Met, which has been called an institution in crisis by womens groups, said it was reviewing 1,633 cases involving 1,071 of its officers and staff who have faced complaints of domestic abuse or sexual offending in the past decade. A spokesman said the professional standards officer was arrested on June 2 following an allegation of sexual assault while he was on duty... The officer has been suspended. The cases relating to other Met officers that are being reviewed include those that resulted in no action or no criminal allegations. Sir Mark, who replaced Dame Cressida Dick last September, said he would write to Home Secretary Suella Braverman and London Mayor Sadiq Khan in March with the reviews findings. In a further blow, the Met was yesterday accused of suppressing a serious sexual assault claim involving another serving officer, despite Sir Marks pledge to root out misogyny in the ranks. A former police employee claimed the Met tried to gaslight and bully her after she came forward with allegations that a detective constable forced himself on her at work in March 2019. Misconduct proceedings against the officer collapsed just 11 days before the hearing, when the woman claims she was told the forces disciplinary unit had just lost a sexual offence hearing and didnt want to lose another one. The most brutal trench warfare since the Somme in the First World War is raging in eastern Ukraine. Vladimir Putin is sending wave upon wave of troops over the top resulting in devastating casualties on both sides. Back in 1918, it was the tank a British invention that broke the stalemate on the Western Front and ended that war decisively. Now, unable to compete with Russias supply of cannon-fodder recruits, Ukrainians see modern Western tanks as the best way to break the back of the invading force. Ukraine has already knocked out huge numbers of Russian tanks but Putin has more coming into action this spring. So Volodymyr Zelensky is pleading for 300 modern tanks to blunt the impending offensive. Yet Germany is unforgivably dragging its feet, refusing to allow German-made Leopard II tanks one of the worlds most formidable weapons to be sent to Ukraine. Formidable: A German Leopard 2 tank Vladimir Putin is sending wave upon wave of troops over the top resulting in devastating casualties on both sides And, since Berlin holds a veto over the export of German-made weapons held by its allies, countries such as Poland and Portugal are unable to send their Leopard 2 tanks, even though they want to. It seems German chancellor Olaf Scholz will not budge on the matter unless the US also provides Ukraine with its Abrams M1 tanks but this is madness. The Abrams tanks are not in Europe in sufficient numbers to have a decisive impact on the war and they guzzle vast quantities of jet fuel or diesel. It would require an extraordinary logistical exercise to bring them over from the US and then to ensure they had sufficient specialised fuel and spare parts on the battlefield of Ukraine. In contrast, there are 2,000 German-made Leopards in Europe and, because they run on diesel, vast numbers of them are ready to roll. Germany is simply citing the Abrams as a pretext for inaction. The truth is that more cynical calculations lie behind Scholzs refusal to give the go-ahead. Of course, he has claimed that there has been a sea-change in relations with Russia after Putins invasion of Ukraine and rapidly managed to wean Germany off Moscows gas supply when war broke out. Yet Berlin still hankers to revive economic links with Russia as soon as possible. The German economy has been rocked by Western sanctions against Russia. As an export-led economy, Germany needs cheap Russian energy and raw materials for manufacturing. Reopening Russias gas spigot is seen by Scholz as key to Germanys recovery from the devastating economic impact of the war. And its not as if Scholz is facing domestic pressure to act. Scarred by the horrors of two World Wars, Germans fear that military assistance to Ukraine risks escalation which in the worst case would include the use of nuclear weapons by Russia. For that reason, public opinion tends to back Scholz, with the latest poll showing that 46 per cent of Germans oppose sending Leopards to Ukraine, with 43 per cent in favour. Scholz may also harbour a personal reluctance to send in the tanks. As a young socialist and pacifist, he was a regular at anti-Nato demonstrations in the 1980s effectively, he was Germanys answer to Jeremy Corbyn. And he may fear that capitulating to Nato members clamouring that tanks be sent will make him appear weak. Though Scholzs dithering might be working to his advantage domestically, it is cruelly costly to Ukrainians. And by trying to game the current war to ensure Germanys long-term economic safety, he is poisoning Berlins relations with its partners in the EU and Nato. Not since the end of the Second World War has Germany been such a pariah. What a bitter irony that, by refusing Ukraine his tanks, this veteran peacenik is effectively siding with Putin the aggressor. Mark Almond is director of the Crisis Research Institute, Oxford. Walking down the aisle solo, no bridesmaids and not cutting the cake in front of all your guests. According to the wedding expert who runs the wedding website The Bridal Journey, these are just three trends guests may have to wrap their heads around in 2023. Earlier this month, social media star Andie Towner - who has amassed over 257,000 followers on Instagram thanks to her wedding tips - shared her predictions for the coming year. Rather than extravagant wedding celebrations spread over entire weekends, the expert claimed that couples will be stripping things back this year. Wedding planner Georgie Mitchell debunked The Bridal Journey's controversial list of 2023 wedding trends - which claimed brides are walking down the aisle solo and ditching bridesmaids So much so that she claimed that traditions such as cutting the cake, tossing the bride's garter and having several people in your wedding party are on their way out. Instead, Andie says there's a push towards 'smaller' celebrations - with brides rocking 'low-key hair' and 'petite bouquets'. But are these trends really playing out among everyday UK brides-to-be? FEMAIL spoke to wedding planner Georgie Mitchell to delve into some of the most controversial 2023 predictions... with very surprising results. Earlier this month, social media star Andie - who has amassed over 257,000 followers on Instagram thanks to her wedding tips - shared her predictions for the coming year - including swapping wedding weekends for smaller celebrations 'No bridesmaids' - FALSE Although The Bridal Journey founder says bridesmaids are on their way out this year, Georgie says her clients are still incorporating their best friends into their day. On average, she says her brides usually have between three or four - but there will often be more. Following on from The Bridal Journey's stripped back approach, Georgie said: 'I think less is more it can be quite a crazy morning and too many can be stressful!' According to Georgie, her UK bride are still having between three and four bridesmaids on average 'Walking down the aisle solo' - SOMEWHAT TRUE Among the most controversial additions to Andy's list was the claim that brides will increasingly opt not to have their fathers give them away on the day. Although the majority of Georgie's brides are still accompanied by either their mother or father down the aisle, the planner says there has been an increase in brides entering their wedding on their own. She added: 'Ive had a few go solo. One bride even went down with her groom. Although the majority of Georgie's clients are still accompanied by a parent down the aisle, she says she has seen a rise in brides entering their wedding on their own 'They did a first look ahead of the ceremony and then went in together!' 'Ditching the garter toss' - TRUE What's more, Andy also predicted that garter tosses very much become a thing of the past this year - and wedding planner Georgie agrees. She continued: 'With Dads and Nans in the room, it is just a bit awkward. Its pretty rare to do it now. 'This history behind it is that the single men would gather ready to catch it to see who will marry next think mens version of the bouquet toss. However even those arent really happening as much anymore!' Left: Bows have been a huge trend in the bridal world over the last two years - and despite Andie's prediction, Georgie says she's seen no sign of that slowing down. Right: The Bridal Journey also claimed pearls are on their way out too 'Pearls and bows are out' - FALSE Over the past year, pearl hair accessories and jewellery has dominated the bridal lookbooks along with satin bows incorporated into dresses. And while Andy says they're falling out of favour, Georgie claims otherwise. She said: 'Brides are still popping these everywhere. Theres just something romantic about bows and pearls! 'Veils, stationery, hair pieces, dresses, flowers you can incorporate them pretty much anywhere! According to wedding planner Georgie Mitchell, 80 per cent of her clients are still choosing to take their husband's names - despite what The Bridal Journey founder predicted The Bridal Journey's List of Trends that are 'Out' for 2023: Bridesmaids Taking your partner's last name Walking down the aisle with your dad Traditions - cake cutting, garter toss Flash Dances Bows Pearls Multi-day weddings Favours Neutral wedding decor Boho theme Advertisement 'Bride keeping their surname' - MIXED In their controversial list of trends that are 'out' for 2023, the Bridal Journey also claimed that we'll see less brides taking their husband's names. However, Georgie says 80 per cent of her clients are still opting to follow this tradition. Speaking from her own experience as a newlywed, the planner added: 'This is such a personal choice, I personally liked taking my partners name but I do also know lots of people who have created their own surname.' 'Untrendy Boho Wedding Themes' - SOMEWHAT TRUE According to The Bridal Journey creator, boho wedding themes and neutral decorations are going to be swapped out for more colour this year. However, Georgie urged couples to disregard decoration trends - and focus on making it personal to them instead. She said: 'My biggest rule for weddings is that its your day. It doesnt matter if boho is in, or bows are out the day is to showcase you and your partner. Try to build in the elements of your life into the day for example if you met in a club, can you name a cocktail that club? 'Or if you met on Tinder, have stationery that nods to that (I swiped right). Ins and Outs are for magazine covers, styled shoots and celebs. You do you.' That said, the wedding planner did agree that flash dances have been declining in popularity as they're a 'logistical nightmare' to organise. What's more, Georgie agreed that traditional wedding favours have fallen out of fashion recently and added: 'Unless you can eat it or drink it, dont waste your money!' Unsurprisingly, Andie's list caused quite a stir among her followers when she posted her 'ins' and 'outs' earlier this year. One commented: 'Out: people telling you whats in or out In: just doing what you and your partner want!' Another fumed: 'Using words like in and out is precisely how you make couples feel pressured to have a trendy wedding and is super toxic.' Meanwhile, a third wrote: 'This post is so embarrassing. Being walked down the aisle by your dad will never be out, and I dont think a time has ever existed where a true classic like pearls werent in. 'Whats really out is publishing lists that arbitrarily shame wedding choices and sentimental traditions. Weddings arent trends and this is sooo silly.' It's 1942 and Janine Webber is looking straight into the eyes of the SS officer who is about to shoot her. She is nine years old, but age is irrelevant when you're living in Nazi-occupied Poland and you're Jewish. Webber has been caught outside the ghetto, betrayed by the daughter of a Polish family the very people her uncle paid to hide her and her younger brother Tunio. But instead of shooting her, the officer orders her to run away. She still wonders why he let her escape. 'Maybe he had a daughter or sister like me,' she says. 'Or maybe he felt I was a sweet girl and harmless.' The officer turns and shoots her brother, wounding him, then buries him alive. Tunio is just seven years old. Eight decades later, seated in a cosy armchair in her peaceful North London home, you would never guess at the brutality of Webber's early life. This Jewish grandmother, a self-confessed tough cookie, loves socialising and celebrated her 90th birthday last year with not one but two parties. She regularly goes to the opera, walks for an hour and a half a day and regrets how the pandemic put a stop to her workouts at the gym. Jewish grandmother Janine Webber, a self-confessed tough cookie, loves socialising and celebrated her 90th birthday last year with not one but two parties Webber was born in July 1932 in the Polish city of Lvov, now Lviv in western Ukraine. Before the war, it was a thriving centre, filled with theatres, universities and an opera house. Polish Catholics, Ukrainian Orthodox Christians and Jews lived side by side, with the Jews respected for their contribution to the region's status as a centre for intellectual, cultural and academic excellence. 'There were nearly 150,000 Jews living in Lvov,' Webber says. 'That sounds a little like the word 'love', doesn't it? Well, I must tell you, there was very little love shown towards our family.' Webber's family lived in a second-floor flat in the centre of town and spent the holidays in a village nearby. She still has a photo taken one summer of her mother Lipka in her bathing costume, lounging on the grass (see opposite). Her parents ran a local grocery store while her grandmother looked after her and her brother. Every Saturday, her father Alfred took her to the orthodox synagogue where the men sat on one side and the women on the other. 'But I was allowed to sit with my father,' she says. 'All the men made a fuss of me and I loved it.' Then in 1941 the Nazis invaded her city and her family were plunged into an apocalyptic nightmare. Within days, the German secret police and death squads began targeting Jewish men, dragging them out of their homes and on to the streets to shoot them. Janine, next to Tunio, far right, in a treasured family photo of her mother relaxing on holiday Webber remembers her father running into their flat, shouting, 'The Germans are after me!' With the Gestapo hammering at the door, he leapt off their second-floor balcony, breaking his leg but managing to escape. Next time he would not be so lucky. The Germans began seizing all Jewish property and since the ghetto was still being established, Webber's family was forcibly moved into a small room in a shared house. The Gestapo's raids were constant, so her parents created a tiny hiding space under the floorboards beneath a wardrobe. 'There was only room for me, my mother and Tunio,' she says. The next raid came without warning. The Gestapo found her father and grandmother hiding in the loft. Webber still remembers her grandmother's screams as they were both dragged away to be shot. As the war intensified, 120,000 Jews were sent to the newly created ghetto, crammed together with scant food and no sanitation. Typhus was rife and dead bodies littered the streets. Webber recalls seeing soldiers piling up bodies into carts. 'They threw sick people on top of the corpses, even if they were still alive.' When her mother got typhus, her uncle Selig hid her in the basement and tried to nurse her to recovery. Webber crept downstairs to see her. 'I couldn't understand why she didn't look at me or talk to me. She was always so affectionate.' Selig explained to her later that her mother was already dead. She was 29. Amid this deprivation, Selig scraped together enough money to pay for Polish farmers to give Webber a home. But even this proved to be unsafe as she was put in a bed with the farmer's 15-year-old son, who tried to have sex with her. She managed to fend him off, but her punishment was to be locked alone in a room for several months with only a bed and a bucket. Tunio, aged 18 months, 1935. A farmer's daughter betrayed them to a Nazi officer who allowed Webber to escape, but who shot and wounded Tunio then buried him alive 'After a few days, I asked for a blanket because I was cold. They gave me an old coat infested with lice,' she says. 'I kept killing the lice but having something to do saved my mind because I was starting to imagine I saw animals in the walls.' Webber can only guess at why the farmers finally let her go maybe they had enough of feeding her or thought it was too dangerous to shelter a Jewish child. She found her way back to the ghetto, where Selig once again got the money to pay for another Polish farming family to give her and also Tunio shelter. But it was here that the farmer's daughter betrayed them to the Nazi officer who allowed Webber to escape, but who shot and wounded Tunio then buried him alive. Does she, I wonder, believe some people are inherently evil? 'I don't believe people are born evil,' she says. 'I believe people can be brainwashed.' She retains her belief in the goodness of humanity because of the courage of a Polish Catholic teenager named Edek, who risked his life to save hers. After Webber escaped from the farm, she found herself orphaned and alone. All she had in her possession were her treasured photographs and the address of Edek, a member of the Polish Resistance. He was a friend of her mother's sister, Aunt Rouja, and was employed as a night watchman for the Persenkowka convent on the outskirts of Lvov. It was in the grounds of the convent that Edek managed to build an underground bunker to hide Webber, Rouja, Selig and 11 other Jews. 'It was very small,' she explains. 'We could stand up but not walk around. There was a naked bulb in the ceiling and six planks to sleep on, so we had to take it in turns to lie down. There was no daylight, no air. It was very hot. I only wore underwear.' She lived in that underground hole for almost a year. In 1943, as Webber's health began to deteriorate, Rouja managed to smuggle her out of the bunker by obtaining false papers for her. Webber had to assume a new identity, that of a dead Catholic girl named Janina Kopielska, whose parents had been killed, and learn every detail about her life. She found shelter in another convent, in Krakow, where she mouthed the words to the prayers so no one would realise she wasn't Catholic. Her leg muscles were so weak from living underground that the Mother Superior told her she'd never walk properly again. Janine, left, aged four, with her mother and Tunio, 1936. The Gestapo's raids on their flat were constant, so her parents created a tiny hiding space under the floorboards beneath a wardrobe. 'There was only room for me, my mother and Tunio,' she says But Webber proved her wrong and her daily walks are a testament to her indomitable spirit. All of those in the bunker survived the war, although Webber regrets that she never saw Edek again to thank him. 'If he'd been caught hiding us, he would have been executed,' she says. 'So, his bravery is almost unimaginable.' After the liberation, she settled in Paris and married her first husband Norman Galloway and had twin sons, Stephen and Mark. Later she moved to London, marrying her second husband, engineer Edward Webber, but remains a committed Francophile and used to work as a lecturer in French. She is close to all her children, stepchildren and grandchildren, but for 50 years, Webber never spoke about what she endured, even to her own family. 'It was too painful.' The trauma gave her recurrent nightmares of Nazi officers in shiny black boots. She was terrified of anyone finding out where she lived, scared to open her front door to strangers. As part of her recovery, her psychotherapist suggested she start opening up about her ordeal. Once she began telling her story, the nightmares stopped. Now her diary is packed with talks to schools, churches and other organisations. 'I also give more interviews Davi online,' she says. 'Often people respond with emails and that makes me really, really happy.' She regularly travels to Nottinghamshire to address visitors at the National Holocaust Centre & Museum. Its director Marc Cave is full of admiration for her: 'I always get a pang of jealousy when someone says they're seeing Janine,' he writes to me in an email. 'Every time she speaks about her baby brother, I think she's going to crack. But Janine is prepared to pay the price of personal trauma by reliving it every time she talks in the hope of helping other people. That's the equation 'I suffer, but I'm prepared to suffer if it inspires you to be a better human being.' New government figures show that antisemitic hate incidents are at a record high and so there is an increasing urgency to find new ways to make survivors' stories resonate. Webber recently collaborated with Cave and hip-hop artist Kapoo to create Edek, an award-winning short film described as 'a history lesson for the YouTube generation'. When she appeared on Reddit's 'Ask Me Anything' series, she had 2,000 questions in an hour, placing her above Jamie Oliver and Arnold Schwarzenegger in Reddit's rankings. Webber recently collaborated with Cave and hip-hop artist Kapoo (pictured) to create Edek, an award-winning short film described as 'a history lesson for the YouTube generation' The National Holocaust Centre & Museum is determined that Webber's story will live on even after she has gone, which is why it invited her to be part of The Forever Project. For this initiative she was filmed answering 1,500 crowd-sourced questions about the Holocaust. Using her responses, voice recognition and artificial intelligence, they have created a conversational experience in which audiences can have a virtual Q&A session with her archived replies. It's the empathy of interaction that is important, believes Cave. 'With the Holocaust,' he says, 'the single most powerful educational tool is having a chat with a survivor.' Thanks to The Forever Project, people now and far into the future will be able to converse with a virtual re-creation of Webber. She remains firm in her belief that her story has the power to help shape the future. 'I know a lot of survivors wonder if it is worth doing all this, but I really think it is,' she says. 'Even if only one person hears me and alters their view then it's worth it. I always say to young people, 'You are our future. You will stop people being prejudiced. You will stand up to persecution. You must.' As our conversation draws to a close, I ask her what three words best sum up her approach to life. She pauses to consider, and I instantly regret asking such a reductive question. How can she possibly condense 90 years into three words? Her answer, of course, is the perfect summation of her irrepressible passion for life three words delivered with fierce clarity: 'Joie de vivre.' She's been a beloved staple of British TV since her role as Raquel Watts in Coronation Street in the 1990s - and Sarah Lancashire's career only goes from strength to strength. The award-winning actress, 58, has recently cracked America by playing celebrity chef Julia Child in HBO Max's comedy Julia (2022) and been praised by fans for her 'masterclass' performance in the third and final series of BBC's Happy Valley. But it's not only her career in which Sarah is enjoying success - she has overcome several big hurdles in her personal life, from a loveless first marriage to composer Gary Hargreaves, to a decades-long battle with mental health after being diagnosed with clinical depression aged 18. Now, she lives with her TV executive husband Peter Salmon in a 3 million home in Twickenham, South West London, and a few years ago described herself as a 'little more together'. Here, FEMAIL takes a look at the actress' highs and lows... The award-winning actress, 58, has recently cracked America by playing celebrity chef Julia Child in HBO Max's comedy Julia (2022) and been praised by fans for her 'masterclass' performance in the third and final series of BBC's Happy Valley (pictured) FROM A 'LOVELESS' MARRIAGE TO A 'PRECIOUS' RELATIONSHIP While she's collected success after success in her career, Sarah's personal path to happiness has been more difficult. Sarah was married to her first husband, academic Gary Hargreaves for ten years until they separated in 1995. After the couple split, she went on to say in candid interviews that the marriage was loveless. The couple had two children, Thomas born in 1987 and Matthew two years later in 1988. Speaking of her first marriage, Sarah told the Mirror in 2001: 'I got married only because I was pregnant. Simple as that. I am a very traditional girl and was horrified at the thought of having a child out of wedlock. Sarah married her second husband, Peter Salmon (pictured together), in August 2001. Her first marriage ended in 1995 Sarah has two sons from her first marriage, and one son, who is now 18, from her marriage with Peter. She is pictured with one of her older sons and the youngest on April 13 2011 in London 'I didn't want a child of mine to be different or have fingers pointed at them... My marriage lasted for 10 years, which was 10 years longer than it should have done,' she added. 3MILLION LONDON HOME Sarah lives in a 3million, five-bedroom house on a quiet road in the South-West London area of Twickenham with her second husband. The leafy area is one of the most desirable in Britain's capital, being only a train ride away from central London, and known to be the home of the Rugby Football Union. The family also have a dog, a Cavalier King's Charles named Molly, and locals occasionally spot the actress in her nearby Tesco, as well as out walking with Salmon and their son. Earlier this month, she was spotted going for coffee at a local establishment with her husband Peter. However, the actress has had to spend some time away from home to film the final series of Happy Valley in the North of England. Advertisement In the same interview, Sarah opened up about Peter Salmon, who was then her fiance, saying it was necessary for her to marry him, because she wanted to feel owned. Salmon famously refused to move to Salford despite being the head of the BBC's North division in the early 2010s. He promised he would buy a house after his children, including Joseph, his and Sarah's son, born in 2003, were finished with school, however, he left his BBC post in 2013 before the move. He is now the CCO of TV production company Endemol Shine. The couple are known to be private about their family life, with Sarah telling the Mirror in 2001: 'We are not a public couple and I dont even like talking about my relationship with Peter. 'I guard it because it is very precious. It is not a piece of drama. It is real life, my normal life. And I value my normality.' The couple have a son together, and Sarah had two sons from her first marriage. She said being a mother is her most important role. OPEN ABOUT HER MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES Despite her professional success, Sarah's' personal life has at times been tough. Despite winning accolades for her five years in Coronation Street and dramas such as Where The Heart Is, Clocking Off and The Paradise, the actress has spoken of how she has secretly battled depression. Indeed, she spent some of what should have been her best years back in the 1990s unable to get out of bed. She described her breakdown as a timebomb waiting to go off and absolutely debilitating. I certainly didnt tell anybody at the studios, and I didnt take any time off, she said. I was terrified of being judged and misunderstood. I just battled along. It was the worst thing I could have done. Being in the public eye makes you frightened to talk openly about things which is precisely why you should. You can really make a difference and open up subjects that are taboo. Later, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with clinical depression at 18, saying: I have never known what it feels like to wake up in the morning full of the joys of spring, and wander through the day feeling capable of coping. However, a few years ago Lancashire described herself as a little more together, joking that she was just about ready to go on a bus by myself, keeping her depression at bay with therapy and medication. I have my good and my bad patches, my fantastic and my debilitating patches, she added. LIFE BEFORE THE SPOTLIGHT Sarah began to work on Coronation Street as barmaid Raquel and soon became one of the show's most beloved characters The actress as Raquel next to Kevin Kenedy, who played her husband Curly Watts on the show from 1991 to 1996 Sarah, who was one of four siblings, grew up in Oldham, with her father Geoffrey Lancashire, who wrote for Coronation Street, and her mother Hilda, who was his personal assistant. CRACKING AMERICA Stateside too, Lancashire has recently won herself a huge new fan base - and now Hollywood agents are chasing her to take on more roles. Shortly before lockdown, the star was approached to play Julia Child, the pioneering American television chef who made her name by bringing French cooking to the States during the 1960s. She had little idea of who Child was, other than that Meryl Streep had played her in a 2009 biopic, Julie & Julia a role which secured the Hollywood A-lister an Oscar nomination. She also knew Child was a successful middle-aged woman at a time it wasnt easy to be one. The call came at the end of 2019, just as Lancashire, a mother-of-three, had decided she wanted to take a year off acting. Days into her sabbatical, her agent was in contact, asking her to read a pilot script for a new HBO production. A dozen pages in and Lancashire was won over. She flew to Los Angeles on her first-ever work trip there to audition even though she didnt expect to get the role. This is not grandiosity. I never got the job as a young actor because I was so hopeless in auditioning, she said. Instead, she decided to take her youngest son Joseph, now 18, and make a holiday of it. We flew home and I forgot about it, Lancashire added. But soon afterwards, her agent rang. America finally had come calling and her career hiatus was put on hold. But lockdown struck, halting filming after just three days. Production didnt resume until the summer of 2021 and Covid restrictions then meant she was unable to see her family back in Britain. Every cloud, though, has a silver lining. Its not an experience I care to repeat, in terms of being isolated away from family, Lancashire told Vanity Fair magazine during her only US interview. To be perfectly honest, I think I was slightly saved the first time we were closed down. I dont think I was ready. When filming once again started, she threw herself into being Julia, ditching a voice coach and going it alone. She would fall asleep to clips of the chef on her iPad, or would sit by Boston harbour rereading her scripts, immersing herself in her new character. The actress eventually cracked the US market by playing celebrity chef Julia Child in the show Julia (pictured) Advertisement She told Radio Times in 2014 that she never entertained the idea of being famous, and was more interested in the behind-the-scenes of the TV world. She studied at Oldham Hulme Grammar School from 1976 to 1981 and realised aged 18 she was interested in acting, later winning a spot at the coveted Guildhall School of Music and Drama, which she graduated from in 1986. The actress described her time at the school as hard work and intimidating, but decided to try to forge an acting career for herself. She was faced by a wave of rejection from theatre companies, but eventually was given a role by Howard Lloyd-Lewis, the artistic director of the Manchester Library Theatre Company. Sarah performed two plays with the company, but later admitted she found the experience terrifying, due to the live audiences. She recounted to The Guardian in 2004: 'Because I wore a bathing costume in some of the scenes, I got heckled.' However, she was already a talented performer and her role as Denise in The Beauty Game, the second play she took part in with the company, earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards. In the early days of her career she worked as a drama tutor at Salford University for five years, before first appearing on Coronation Street as Wendy Farmer, a potential lodger for Jack Duckworth, played by Bill Tarmey. Her big break happened in 1990, when she was cast as Linda in a production of Willy Russell's Blood Brothers at the Albery Theatre, which was later renamed The Noel Coward Theatre, in St Martins' lane, Westminster. Just three weeks after finishing her run as Linda, she was cast as Raquel Wolstenhulme in Coronation Street, which propelled her to national fame. In the series, Raquel goes on to fall in love and eventually marry her co-worker, Curly Watts. Sarah was initially hired on a three-months-long contract, appearing in the show from January until May 1991. After her Corrie stint was over, she worked on other projects, but the character of Raquel was eventually reintroduced in December of that year, and Sarah retained the role until 1996. It was reported at the time that she was earning 90,000 a year thanks to her role as Raquel. In spite of the character being popular with audiences - and a TV special following Raquel and Curly's honeymoon selling 750,000 VHS copies in 1995, Sarah eventually left the show in 1996 to pursue other projects. Her last episode was watched by 20 millionviewers, and her performance as Raquel saw her nominated in the Most Popular Actress category at the National Television Awards in October 1996. Sarah went on to play district nurse Ruth Goddard in the ITV drama Where The Heart Is from 1997 to 1999. From 2012 to 2016, she played Caroline, an Oxford-educated headmistress who enters a same-sex relationship with a teacher in the BBC drama The Last Tango in Halifax. In 2014, Sarah starred in Happy Valley, where she plays Sergeant Catherine Cawood, a police officer investigating crimes in Calder Valley in West Yorkshire. The role, which is considered one of her career best, got her to be nominated for Best Actress at the BAFTAs for the first time in her career in 2014. The show was a commercial and critical success, and Sarah won the NTA for Best Actress in 2017 for her performance in Happy Valley's second series. That same year, she received an OBE from Prince Edward for her service to drama. 'At times like this, really, one tends to focus on parents, and my father would have been the proudest man in the world,' she said at the time, the BBC reported. 'It's very difficult because you are in these most spectacular surroundings and you are trying desperately to take it all in but your head is full of white noise because you don't want to fall over when you curtsey. It's wonderful,' she added. After a five year hiatus, Happy Valley's third and final season returned to the BBC, to critical acclaim, earlier this month. I have a wish list on the John Lewis website. I visit it often. Two square pillows. Two square pillow protectors. The Ultimate Collection 1,000 thread count Egyptian cotton bedlinen for that 'hotel look at home': a grand total of 600. A king-size Vispring bed, 4,429: it's like sleeping on a cloud, apparently. I've just added a mattress topper. Then I think, hmm, a lot of ironing, plus my dogs sleep on my bed, currently sheathed in White Company linen, so I moon over my wish list at Piglet in Bed. One hundred per cent linen (see main picture), made from stonewashed French flax, in muted colours raspberry, forest, oatmeal for a more relaxed feel, as linen doesn't need ironing. It's cool in summer, warm in winter. From about 300 for a bundle but will last a lifetime. Next I head over to Cologne & Cotton and select a candy-stripe set in sunny yellow. Two silk pillowcases, made from Mulberry silk in 22 momme (600 thread count), keep skin and hair smooth, at only 50 each. Cheaper than ReVive unguents, surely. And what's this? A super-king pillow! I need two of those! Why have I never owned a super-king pillow? How have I even managed to sleep? One hundred per cent linen (pictured), made from stonewashed French flax, in muted colours raspberry, forest, oatmeal for a more relaxed feel, as linen doesn't need ironing. It's cool in summer, warm in winter. From about 300 for a bundle but will last a lifetime The bed has become a temple to the sort of crazy shopping once reserved only for our bodies, living rooms, kitchens and tables. There are thousands of bedscaping-obsessed posts on Instagram: I follow @michelle_baskinteriors for tips on how to make a bed: you have to karate chop the top of each pillow (mantra: never too many) for that all-important five-star dent. The ultimate must-have these days is no longer a larder: it's a top-drawer linen closet. I spent my childhood in a narrow single bed with its solitary pillow as flat as a pancake, nondescript poly sheets, a cream blanket with blue edging that was felty and scratchy, and an orange candlewick bedspread that had gone bald, offering no warmth at all. There was no bedside table, no lamp: to achieve darkness having tried and failed to read a book (it was too cold to have a hand outside the covers for long), I had to get up to switch off the overhead light, then feel my way back to my bed, as narrow and unwelcoming as a coffin, banging my shins along the way. I shared a bedroom with two sisters, and as soon as the light went out, I would be gripped by terror. 'What can I think about?' I would ask the eldest one. 'Um, ponies?' I couldn't wait till morning, when my mum would heave into view like Mrs Overall with a mug of instant coffee and switch on a two-bar electric fire, an act performed in great secrecy from 'Daddy', who worried about bills. My mum had eight beds (I am one of seven) to change every Monday: she would wash the bottom sheet and transfer the top sheet to the bottom. She had a tub and a mangle and come Monday night she would resemble someone who had been lost at sea. For her, our beds were tyrants. Today? I love my bed. I love it so much, I can't stand it whenever a man comes to stay, as he always rumples it, clamping the duvet between his thighs as he is 'too hot'. He never appreciates the Himalayan range of cushions that must be removed before entering. He rolls his eyes at the Melin Tregwynt Welsh blanket, its label giving the names of every person who made it, which covers the foot of the bed in winter, to be replaced in summer by a cotton lace quilt, handmade by my great aunt Nel at the end of the First World War. The lace once covered my parents' bed, which reminds me that beds can become horrors: my mum was confined to a hospital cot for a decade. That was no longer a bed: it was a prison. I have a glorious bedhead which has moved with me from house to house, custom made by Bill Amberg at great expense. It still bears the wounds inflicted on it by Squeaky, my long-dead cat, who liked to use it as a scratching post before burrowing under the duvet. It's tragic, now my cats have all died, not to creep upstairs to be greeted by softly breathing humps. Men never know how to make a bed properly. I always do it in the manner of the housekeepers at Claridge's: the Oxford pillow openings must meet at the centre. I learnt to make hospital corners from my sisters, who grew up to become nurses. My bed fetish is almost as bad as that of the Duchess of Windsor, who was disposed to take an afternoon nap, after which her maids removed the linen to press it. I wish I'd had a cosy, safe haven as a child. A lamp. Warmth. I wouldn't have felt so scared all the time. These days, I can't wait to go to bed: it's my raft in turbulent seas. I watch films, read books in bed with an intimacy you just don't get in a sitting room. No one can hurt me here. I know Gracie my elderly collie dog feels the same. I hoist her rump onto her pillow, lined as it is these days with nappies, scented with lavender Deep Sleep pillow spray, and as she circles to make a nest, finally settling down in a comma, she groans with pleasure at the snuggliness of it all. Sweet dreams, my darling. Sleep tight. MEET THE DREAM TEAMS Snuggle up in these super-stylish, more affordable bedding bundles Can I tell you a secret? It's a confession I'd never dare to make at the nursery gates, where I nod sympathetically at parents' tales of 5am starts and nocturnal bed-swapping. You see, the truth is, my three-year-old sleeps like a dream: the full 12 hours, snoozing away happily until 7am. She'd have a lie-in if I let her. But here's the rub: my own sleep is terrible. While my daughter has inherited outstanding slumber skills from her dad a man who, without fail, falls asleep pre-takeoff on every flight I've spent countless nights spiralling through insomnia. Lying there in the dark, my heart thudding in my ears while everyone snoozes around me it's the loneliest feeling in the world. But I'm far from alone. A third of Brits will experience sleep problems and over half say that they feel tired all or most of the time. Women are twice as likely to suffer from insomnia as men and reports show that the amount of people complaining of poor sleep has doubled since the pandemic. GPs don't like prescribing sleep medication for chronic insomniacs, advising brain re-training instead. But can this ever really work? I call up Dr Guy Meadows, a London-based sleep physiologist who has been helping sufferers for 16 years. When we first speak, I brace myself for a guilt-inducing list of ways to improve my habits. It's what the sleep industry (and it is now an industry) likes to refer to as 'sleep hygiene'. However, while Dr Meadows acknowledges that sleep hygiene rules have a place, he assures me that 'most of the people who need my help have already done all of that'. Instead, a more fundamental change is needed. The truth is, my three-year-old sleeps like a dream: the full 12 hours, snoozing away happily until 7am. She'd have a lie-in if I let her Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is the central tenet at Dr Meadows's Sleep School clinic (sleepschool.org), which offers video consultations and has a corresponding app (99 for 55 minutes; ten per cent discount if ordered through the app). It's a form of psychotherapy that encourages people to stop avoiding or struggling with difficult thoughts and instead learn to accept them. Dr Meadows describes insomnia sufferers as being 'in a state of fight or flight, fuelled by your brain's emotional centre, the amygdala'. And, he adds: 'It's the struggle to get rid of the discomfort, anxiety and strong feelings that fuels the sleeplessness.' While once upon a time our ancestors would have gone into this hyper-alert mode to deal with physical threats a sabre-toothed tiger, perhaps now it's the perceived danger of being awake in the middle of the night that's causing my brain to say 'be vigilant, we're in trouble!' But how do I stop? Step one is to download the Sleep School app (free for seven days, then 29.99 for an annual subscription), and start the 30-day Overcoming Insomnia course, which provides a daily set of slides to read, plus a meditation exercise. I have always been hopeless at meditating, often telling my husband that I am 'far too stressed' for the chillout app Headspace, which is the clearest sign possible that I need it. However, I am so fed up of sleepless nights and eye bags the size of Ikea totes that I decide to fully commit. At the beginning of the course, I learn that 'mindful noticing' is a good way to halt the worry spiral. It involves zeroing in on my senses, breath or body, and staying in the present moment rather than panicking about an email I sent five weeks ago. 'These tools are revolutionary because they are not designed to get you to sleep, but to help you notice what it feels like to be awake and be OK with it,' explains Dr Meadows. GPs don't like prescribing sleep medication for chronic insomniacs, advising brain re-training instead. But can this ever really work? (stock image) Again, it's important that nothing feels effortful. For example, when focusing on my breathing, I'm not counting beats or sucking air into my stomach, but simply using my regular breathing pattern and noticing the sensation of air passing through my nose. It's surprisingly relaxing. Scanning through my senses is deeply soothing, too. I notice the weight of my body on the mattress, the taste of toothpaste in my mouth. These methods are helpful because they tell the amygdala it's OK to chill out. Of course, if I was able to switch off that easily then I probably would be some kind of Zen master. Instead, says Dr Meadows, our brains are designed to be '24-hour obsessive-compulsive worrying machines', because from an evolutionary perspective, 'the more we worry about everything that could go wrong, the more likely we are to survive'. In fact, worry is almost bred into our gene pool, because, historically, it was the cautious members of the group, not the ones who decided to pat a lion, who stayed alive. As I found in my case, our natural tendency to worry can go into overdrive when we become parents. Much of my night-time anxiety focuses on my daughter. I have already spent hours worrying about what it will be like when she starts going clubbing, even though she is only just three. Luckily, the Sleep School app has a whole section devoted to addressing these scary thoughts and outlines a thought-defusing method. It's a means of changing your relationship with your worries, one such way being to label your thoughts. So, whenever an illogical worry about my child pops into my head, I can say to myself, 'Oh, that's a 'daughter in danger' thought.' When I realise my anxieties tend to bunch themselves together into categories like this, I can separate myself from them and dismiss the catastrophic thinking more easily. It works in the daytime, too. Another worry spiral I tend to travel down is questioning my life choices. One night I head to my bedroom at 10pm and discover the people in the flat above are playing loud music. This happens about once every six months, but every time it occurs my thoughts follow the same template: 'They will definitely be playing music until 4am. I'll never sleep! What if they start having parties every night? I should have known better than to buy a ground-floor flat. This is all my fault!' But this time, I halt proceedings when I feel my brain beginning to spiral, and start to scan through my other senses instead. Ten minutes later, I'm in such a relaxed state that I only vaguely register that the music has been switched off before I fall asleep. Another night, my daughter lets out a tremendous sneeze at 2.37am, and primitive creature that I am I immediately sit bolt upright to protect her. Normally, this would be swiftly followed by my mental fire alarm of 'I'll never sleep again', but instead I adopt a more neutral approach of 'I'm awake and I might not sleep again for a while, but that's OK'. This shrug-of-the-shoulders response keeps me calm and, ironically, the acceptance of being awake allows me to fall asleep easily. It turns out ACT actually works. During our final chat, I'm slightly gushy in gratitude to Dr Meadows. I can't remember the last time I spent hours tossing and turning in bed, and no longer spend mornings feeling like I've just been dug up. Instead, I have fully bought into one of legendary psychologist Carl Rogers's quotes: 'We cannot change, we cannot move away from what we are, until we thoroughly accept what we are. Then change seems to come about almost unnoticed.' Just don't tell the other parents. I'm a coat addict who craves silver trousers, steals her husband's clothes and suffers from Instagram fatigue. These are just some of the home truths I've learnt while dressing for January. I've spent my entire winter budget on coats but je ne regrette rien. They're my style passion I think of myself as a bit of a collector. Marie Kondo wouldn't approve, but all of them spark joy and are loved and worn on rotation. My most recent addition is a pinstripe from Rixo with a faux-fur collar it makes everything I wear seem that bit more glamorous. As I've got older, I tend to save up for coats of better quality, with warmer materials that'll see me into spring and come out to play again the following season. Unisex dressing has seeped into my life in a very real way. My new addiction: My most recent addition is a pinstripe from Rixo with a faux-fur collar it makes everything I wear seem that bit more glamorous I'm not sure how it happened but I have some very similar clothes (blazers, knitwear, trousers) to my husband. I sometimes steal his shirts and can often be found browsing through the men's section, especially in Cos. I'm hankering after a pair of silver trousers. Silver feels fresh after rainbow brights and saturated shades The idea that silver is just for the festive season is being turned on its head. It dominated spring collections and feels fresh after seasons of rainbow brights and saturated shades. Silver skirts, dresses and trousers all look elegant paired with a simple white T-shirt or black jacket. Expect a strong lust for silver gems this year. I need a new social-media fix. I wish someone would invent something fresh and exciting. I'm caught in a constant love-hate relationship with Instagram. I hate its unfathomable algorithms, its constant prompts to pay-to-boost posts, its endless weird reels and ever-increasing numbers of mean, judgmental comments. I've also noticed some of my favourite celebrities are posting less and less. And who can blame them, if they're constantly berated for their efforts? However, I still have my handful of inspiring favourites including @theflairindex, @gwynethpaltrow, @onlyclassy and @clairerose all of which keep me hooked. I can't face TikTok because my 14-year-old nieces are there with their dance routines. So, over to you budding tech billionaires I'm excited about some simple wardrobe building blocks, such as black leggings and body suits. I'm generally a fan of choosing from what's already in your wardrobe between now and spring. But adding pieces like simple black leggings, worn with a boucle jacket and boots, will keep old things looking fresh. Cinch clincher Uma Thurman, a fellow fan of the simple black polo, has reached peak chic. Pictured with daughter Luna Uma Thurman, a fellow fan of the simple black polo, has reached peak chic. Pictured with daughter Luna, Uma nails blazer style with a Grasp leather belt from Bottega Veneta (275, net-a-porter.com) and teams it with a maxi skirt and pair of chunky boots. Sub-zero hero If youre hitting the slopes or just craving a cosy puffer, check out Zaras ski collection. This jacket 90 per cent down, ten per cent feather will keep you warm and stylish. Jacket, 189, zara.com. If youre hitting the slopes or just craving a cosy puffer, check out Zaras ski collection My hot Big Apple travel tips Sarah Jessica Parkers favourite neighbourhood bookstore, Three Lives & Co When visiting New York last month, I made a trip to Casa Magazines in the West Village, a wonderful shop selling issues from all over the world. Right around the corner is Sarah Jessica Parkers favourite neighbourhood bookstore, Three Lives & Co, with a terrific array of books and knowledgeable staff. Uptown, try Elios, a low-key traditional Italian restaurant. Gwyneth Paltrow and her daughter Apple visited recently. @thestylistandthewardrobe @youmagazine An Australian retail worker has shared the twelve things customers do that she cannot stand. Tamika Alecia, from South Australia, slammed customers who lack 'common sense', crack jokes and complain about the price or want products for free. 'The amount of people that lack common knowledge baffles me,' the 19-year-old said. Scroll down for video A 19-year-old Australian retail worker, Tamika Alecia (pictured), has shared twelve things all customers do that she cannot stand Her long list slammed customers who lack 'common sense', crack jokes and complain about the price or want products for free (pictured). 'The amount of people that lack common knowledge baffles me,' the young woman said Her number one 'ick' is that 'common sense isn't common' when it comes to her customers. She complained that they walk into the store and ask the 'most stupid questions' or ask about something that is right in front of them because they're 'oblivious'. Poll Are you guilty of any of these retail 'icks'? Definitely! No way! Are you guilty of any of these retail 'icks'? Definitely! 353 votes No way! 879 votes Now share your opinion The second thing that annoys her is when shoppers don't go to the register she is working at. She explained that her store has two registers that are far apart and customers often walk to the one with no one on it rather than coming to the one she is waiting at. Tamika also said it's frustrating for retail workers when customers say they will pay with card but then give cash. She explained that the point of sale in her store is very slow and freezes so customers changing their mind halfway through a sale is a pain. Tamika's 'personal favourite' ick that 'really gets on [her] nerves' is when she asks a customer if they want a bag and they say "if you've got one". 'Like no I don't actually have any left I was just asking for fun,' she joked. Another infuriating habit is when a product won't scan and customers joke that it must be free. A big pet hate for her is when customers ask for a sample of 'everything in the store' when the store only samples their new products. 'No I'm not going to take it off the wall just for you to try it, how about you buy it?' she snapped. Tamika said something that is really frustrating for retail workers is when shoppers come into the store at the last minute. 'Between four and five o'clock we have no customers and then they'll try to come in at 4.59pm. You've had all day and you want to come in last minute,' she said. She also hates when customers shake on the door to see if the store is opened after staff have locked up. 12 customer habits that annoy retail workers: 1. When customers ask obvious questions 2. When customers don't go to a register with a staff member on it 3. When customers say they will pay with card but then give cash 4. When workers ask a customer if they want a bag and they say "if you've got one" 5. When a product won't scan and customers joke that it must be free 6. When customers ask for a sample of everything in the store 7. When shoppers come into the store at the last minute 8. When customers shake the door to see if it is open after staff have locked up 9. When customers don't read the price list and ask for the price of a product 10. When workers greet a customer and they rudely respond "I'm just looking" 11. When staff go to a different shop and customers ask if they work there 12. When shoppers say "it's cheaper at the supermarket" (Source: tamikaalecia) Advertisement 'I'm not going to open it for you, you're not coming in,' she said. The retail worker said another thing customers often fail to read signs. She explained that shoppers ask the price of something when there is a price list 'right in front of them'. 'Oh my god, read! Open your eyes, please,' she said. Another of Tamika's 'personal favourites' is when workers greet a customer and they rudely respond "I'm just looking". 'No need to be so aggressive, just say hi. It's okay' she said. She said she also gets annoyed when she goes to a different shop in her work uniform and shoppers ask her if she works there. Her final retail pet peeve is when shoppers say "it's cheaper at the supermarket". 'I don't really care, go there, it's fine. I don't control the prices, I'm sorry,' Tamika said. Several retail workers wholeheartedly agreed with her points. 'Everything you said is too relatable,' one woman said. One worker said she also hates when customers ask the price that's listed on a sign. 'People are illiterate,' Tamika agreed. An American child sex crime investigator has revealed the two most common ways predators groom kids, and the best ways to protect children from the tactics. The mum-of-three said abusers often groom a child by suggesting a 'tickle game', or by using fear-based tactics such as threatening to hurt a pet or a family member. Terra Avilla, who is known as thegirlcop on TikTok, advised parents that the best way to protect children is to have conversations with them so they know what is appropriate. The cop emphasised the importance of being a safe place for your child so they know they can speak to you if they're uncomfortable about something. Scroll down for video American child sex crime investigator Terra Avilla (pictured) revealed the two common ways predators groom kids, and the best ways to protect children from the tactics The mum-of-three said abusers often groom a child by suggesting a 'tickle game', or by using fear-based tactics such as threatening to hurt a pet or a family member. She advised parents that the best way to protect children is to have conversations with them so they know what is appropriate and that they can talk to you 'These are the two really common things predators tell children to get them to comply, listen to these and talk to your kids,' Terra said. She revealed that the number one thing predators tell kids is that they're going to play 'some sort of tickle game'. Terra recommends talking to your kids to ensure they know safe adults don't have secret games and they don't tell you to keep secrets. 'No one should really be tickling you if mommy and daddy aren't there and children shouldn't be tickling an adult either,' she said. 'No adult should be telling a child to tickle them it's weird.' Fear is a second common tactic used by predators. The cop outlined that predators will often threaten to hurt a child's pet, parents or siblings if they don't agree to what the abuser wants. 'Have an age-appropriate conversation with your kids so that they can come to you no matter what and if someone threatens them you're a safe spot,' she said. Kids will often not say anything about abuse because they fear getting in trouble or not being believed. Fans love Terra's informative videos. 'I watch these with my seven year old. She loves to listen to you. She takes you seriously. Thank you,' one mum said. 'We talk about this stuff so much in our household. It's an ongoing open conversation and always has been. I wish schools could address it too,' another said. Common ways child predators groom kids: 1. Inviting a child to play a 'tickle game' 2. Threatening to hurt a child's pet or loved one if they don't comply (Source: thegirlcop) Advertisement The Connecticut-based cop previously revealed the five things she would never let her children do to protect them from predators. She shocked her followers with the risky situations she doesn't let her children be involved in, including sleepovers and using the wrong terms for body parts. Her number one rule was that she would never let her children go on sleepovers. 'I get a lot of hate for this,' she admitted, but explained that it's too much risk from her experience. 'You don't know who's there, or who could slip in during the night,' she said. Terra Avilla previously revealed the five things she would never let her kids do Terra's second no-go was Snapchat, explaining that a lot of her sex crime cases come from predators using the app. She believes it's particularly dangerous as your location can be seen when using it and kids think pictures that are sent will disappear. 'Nothing good comes from this app,' she said. Her third rule was that she never lets her kids hug or kiss people that they don't want to, including family members. Instead, she teaches them that they have the right to consent to people touching them. 'I know that sounds really mean but it's their body and if they don't want to give a hug goodbye then they have the right to do that and to set boundaries,' she said. The rules received so much attention that the cop uploaded a second video sharing more rules her and her family follow. Terra said she would never let her kids have secrets. 'There's a big difference between having a secret and keeping a surprise. Kids need to learn that an outside adult shouldn't be telling a child to keep a secret. She also advised telling kids that it's okay to share a friend's secret if it will protect them from danger. Her final rule was that she doesn't let her kids use 'silly names for their private parts'. The mum advises teaching kids the correct name for their body parts, because if something was to happen it's more difficult for children to explain what happened to police without the correct terms. A child sex crime investigators top five rules for protecting kids: 1. No sleepovers 2. No snapchat 3. No forced hugging or touching 4. No secrets 5. Use proper words for body parts Advertisement Many parents were delighted to hear the rules, and several have already implemented some of the list, particularly the rule against sleepovers. 'No hate from me, I agree with this list 100 per cent,' one woman said. 'I feel the same about sleepovers, never gonna happen,' another commented. 'You're doing everything right!' another said. 'Paediatric ER doctor child safety expert and mom here, and I agree with every part of this,' another commented. Police patrol the scene along Garvey Avenue in Monterey Park, California, Jan. 21, after responding to reports of multiple people having been shot by a lone gunman. AFP-Yonhap A man fatally shot 10 people at a ballroom dance venue where people were celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year late Saturday in a city on the eastern edge of Los Angeles, and was still at large after fleeing the scene, according to police. Another 10 people were taken to local hospitals to be treated for injuries, and at least one was in critical condition, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said early Sunday morning, about five hours after the attack in Monterey Park. When local police first arrived, people were "pouring out of the location screaming," department Captain Andrew Meyer told reporters in a news briefing at the scene. There was no immediate information about a motive for the shooting or a description of the suspect or kind of gun used. The shooting occurred around the location of a Chinese Lunar New Year celebration where many downtown streets were closed for festivities that drew thousands of people from across Southern California. Police said festivities planned for Sunday have now been cancelled. Monterey Park is a city of about 60,000 people around 7 miles (11 km) from downtown Los Angeles. About two-thirds of its residents are Asian, according to U.S. Census data, and the city is known for its many Chinese restaurants and groceries. The sheriff's department said it did not know whether the attack was racially motivated. Footage posted on social media showed injured people on stretchers being taken to ambulances by emergency staff, while around the scene police guarded cordoned-off streets. Choi Seung-won, who owns a seafood barbecue restaurant near the site of the attack, told the Los Angeles Times that three people rushed into his restaurant and told him to lock the door because a man was unloading multiple rounds of ammunition at a dance club across the street. Mass shootings are a recurrent theme in the United States, and the attack in Monterey Park was the deadliest since May 2022, when a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at a school in Uvalde, Texas. The deadliest shooting in California history was in 1984 when a gunman killed 21 people at a McDonald's restaurant in San Ysidro, near San Diego. (Reuters) A teenage TikTok user has hit back at cruel commentators who mocked her after she made a video proudly showcasing a new handbag she described as a 'luxury' item. Zoe Gabriel, 17, who lives in Singapore, shared a clip on the platform displaying her 85 Charles & Keith bag. In her original video, Zoe is seen excitedly unwrapped the black tote bag, and showing off it design details. Underneath the clip, which had the words 'my first luxury bag' onscreen at the beginning, the 17-year-old wrote 'thank you dad', in a message of gratitude to her father who purchased the tote from the Singaporean fashion brand. Zoe Gabriel (pictured) was excited to show off her new bag in a TikTok video, before cruel viewers mocked her for describing the 85 purchase as 'luxury' Her video went viral, garnering more than 6 million views, and more than 2 million 'likes'. It also attracted some 40,000 comments, some from viewers who complimented the purchase, and some cruel comments mocking the 17-year-old for describing the bag as 'luxury'. The black Double Handle Tote Bag costs 85 on the brand's UK website and $60 in Singapore. For some commentators, the price tag did not equal a luxury purchase, and they made their feelings clear underneath the video. In a tearful response video, the 17-year-old addressed the cruel comments, and explained that the item was a big purchase for her and her family Zoe's black Double Handle Tote Bag (pictured) costs 85 on the brand's UK website and $60 in Singapore @zohtaco Replying to @cressy i am so happy and grateful for you, that you can consider charles and keith not a luxury. also btw if you google it, lots of sources do classify them as a luxury brand. so. original sound - zoe - zoe One viewer simply wrote 'who's gonna tell her', suggesting that Zoe was unaware that the bag is not a luxury purchase, and someone should tell her this. Picking up on this comment, the teenager made a tearful new video, explaining that the purchase was a luxury for her and her family, which did not have much money. In it, she revealed money is the topic she is most uncomfortable talking about, because she did not have a lot growing up, and her family could not afford expensive items. She added: 'We couldn't buy things as simple as bread from [Singaporean bakery] Bread Talk. That kind of thing was such a luxury when we first moved to Singapore. 'Every time we passed by a store, my parents would say next time, but next time would never come. 'Your comment spoke volumes on how ignorant you seem because of your wealth. To you, an $80 bag may not be a luxury. Many commentators took to the video to reassure the 17-year-old, and tell her to ignore the mean comments from others 'For me and my family, it is a lot, and I'm so grateful that my dad was able to get me one. He worked so hard for that money. I can't believe I got hate over a bag that I was so excited to have.' Viewers left supportive comments on the video, which garnered some 6 million views and 17,000 responses. One wrote: 'Don't bother with those comments. For me to be at your age, owning an $80 bag is considered very luxury.' Another added: 'Don't let anyone ruin your happiness. Your bag looks classic and gorgeous! And I'm so proud of u.' And a third agreed, writing: 'Please don't cry...I know how expensive live in singapore. I bought $60 charles and keith too in singapore and still my fav bag today.' His TikTok has amassed over 1.2m views in the first 48 hours King Charles' former butler has revealed the 'correct' way to slice into cheese - and it makes all the difference to the taste. Earlier this week, Grant Harrold - who worked on the monarch's Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire between 2005 to 2011 - urged people to reconsider their method for slicing into cheeses such as brie. In a viral TikTok that's amassed over 1.2m views, the etiquette expert, who is originally from Airdrie, Scotland, filmed himself enjoying a dinner party with author Christine Hamilton. As the pair are about to enjoy some cheese and grapes, Grant pointed out a common mistake he sees people making to his 160,000 followers. Grant Harrold (pictured) urged people to reconsider their method for slicing into cheeses such as brie He said: 'Ladies and gentlemen, please remember - you never cut the nose off the cheese.' As Grant hovered the knife above the end of the brie, Christine then let out a playful scream and pretended to faint. He continued: 'After all, your hostess will not thank you for this. Sorry madam!' Having reminded viewers of proper 'cheese etiquette', Grant ends the video by taking a small slice lengthways along the brie. Left: Grant Harrold urged viewers not to cut the nose off the end of cheese as his hostess Christine Hamilton pretended to faint next to him. Right: The expert ended the video by slicing into the cheese lengthways As cheese matures at different speeds from the rind, Grant's method allows all members of the party to enjoy the varying flavours. The video amassed over 33,000 'likes' in the first 48 hours - and viewers were stunned not to have known the etiquette before. 'I did not know this,' one replied. 'Thank you!' Another added: 'This drives me crazy when a guest does this!' Meanwhile, a third wrote: 'Cutting the nose is like eating the top of a cupcake instead of cutting part of the top through to the bottom.' Etiquette expert Grant Harrold (pictured) has revealed two simple etiquette tips to follow when eating pastries with guests A fourth replied: 'As others have said, you wouldnt cut just the centre of a pizza or a cake. Its really selfish to help yourself to the soft centre of the cheese leaving the rind for the last person.' In response to viewer comments on Instagram, Grant said it was also impolite to take 'all the goodness' from the nose for yourself. As part of his former duties, Grant butlered for the now-monarch, as well as for the late Queen and Prince Philip on occasion. Now he creates content around etiquette topics on TikTok and Instagram, revealing the posh way to behave when it comes to dining and socialising among other things. Last week, the expert revealed the 'correct' way to eat breakfast pastries. Taking to Instagram, he filmed himself holding a basket of pastries, which he proceeded to tuck into, before instead discussing etiquette issues. Prince Harry's local bookstore has revealed that it has only sold around 30 copies of the royal's controversial autobiography Spare. The bombshell tome, which pocketed Harry, 38, a rumoured 16 million ($20 million) advance, has been selling well - becoming the fastest selling non-fiction book since records began, according to its publisher. But the book has reportedly not been performing as well in Harry and Meghan's, 41, upmarket California enclave of Montecito. Owner of local book store the Tecolote Book Shop, Mary Sheldon, told the Guardian that she has only shifted some 30 copies of Spare since its release. While Prince Harry (pictured in London in 2020) has shifted many copies of his controversial biography Spare, a local bookseller says they have only sold some 30 books Describing Spare by saying 'it's a book', Mary added that some further copies have been reserved by locals, who are planning to collect their copy in person. She said of Prince Harry: 'He took time to gather his thoughts and wanted to publish it, so I am here to sell it.' The autobiography has sold 750,000 copies across all formats - print, audio and e-book - in the UK since its publication on January 10. This makes it the biggest selling memoir ever for its first week of publication, according to publishers Transworld, the UK division of Penguin Random House. Prince Harry's scathing memoir Spare (pictured) has become the fastest-selling non-fiction book since records began Official figures from Nielsen BookData showed the book, which was written by celebrity ghostwriter JR Moehringer, sold 467,183 print copies in its first week alone. The data released by Nielsen shows the book has broken the previous record of 210,506 set by the first Pinch Of Nom cookbook - written by Kay Allinson - in 2019. Despite the memoir being leaked in Spain ahead of the official publication date, Nielsen's data suggest sales were not negatively affected. Prince Harry made several claims about the royal family and revealed painfully personal anecdotes in his explosive memoir Spare, which was released on January 10. Despite its massive global sales, the book has not been selling well locally, according to the owner of Tecolote Book Shop (pictured) in Montecito The book covers every aspect of his life, charting the disconnect with his elder sibling whom he calls 'Willy' that started from the moment he was born, when Charles allegedly declared that his duty was done. He accuses William, 40, of being immersed in his position as future heir to the throne, claims he ignored him when they were pupils at Eton College, and says he repeatedly put him in his place. In one paragraph Harry, who is affectionately called 'Harold' by his family, describes himself as feeling like he was born to be the 'spare kidney' for his elder brother. Harry also accuses his elder brother of being the aggressor during 'Megxit', claiming their relationship had become so strained and damaged that William would only 'scowl' at him. In the book, Harry (pictured, right) details the fallout with his brother William (pictured, right), as well as describing rifts with other family members He describes several particularly awkward meetings between himself, Meghan, William and Kate, saying his brother and sister-in-law appeared uncomfortable at being hugged by his future wife. He also appears to accuse the Princess of Wales of over-reacting by demanding an apology from Meghan after she fell out with Kate over wedding plans. Kate was apparently offended that Meghan attributed forgetfulness to 'baby brain' after the birth of Prince Louis. Harry also reveals that the two couples even rowed over seating plans and whether William and Kate should be put together. He says when William confronted Meghan and defended his wife, Meghan snapped back at the prince, 'take your finger out of my face'. While Charles is spared more pain than many had expected, Harry paints him as an ineffectual father who wasn't even able to hug him when telling him of his mother's death in a car crash. He says that when he confided in Charles about suffering panic attacks as a grown man, the prince looked at his plate sadly and said he had failed him. However, in what are sure to be distressing passages for the King, Harry describes how when he returned to the UK to attend Prince Philip's funeral in 2021, a clearly distressed Charles wailed at his warring sons not to make his 'final years a misery'. When Rosie Green's marriage ended, her relationship with antidepressants began. Here, for the first time, she writes about her rollercoaster withdrawal If some people are glass half empty, and some half full, I've always been rim-brimmingly optimistic. Happy, content a wearer of rose-tinted glasses. If I get a parking ticket, I can write it off within minutes by performing some mental gymnastics. I'm Tigger, not Eeyore. And even though I was born a Wednesday's child, I don't identify with any of her traits. So I thought I would never need antidepressants. I hadn't needed them when some dramatic, traumatic life events beset me. The shocking death of a loved one, a world-changing diagnosis for a close friend. Rosie Green (pictured) began taking antidepressants when she and her husband began going through marriage turmoil I understood the sadness and anxiety I experienced were a rational response to stressful situations and, though I felt wretched, I was always able to feel hope. And then, in 2018, life changed. I went, in a split second, from happily married to not. The moment I discovered some messages on my husband's phone, everything I knew to be true about my 26-year relationship shattered into a million shards of glass. Decades of trust annihilated in a few sentences. Certainties dissolved in an acid bath of betrayal. The life I envisaged gone. This was a body blow I couldn't recover from. I spent every day apart from that wakening nanosecond of bliss before I remembered what had happened consumed by fear. Rosie writes that her doctor suggested a low-dose antidepressant when hearing what she was going through. Stock image used It was animalistic. Even my sweat smelt different. My body trembled. My muscles twitched. I was surviving. Just. Mostly I crawled towards bedtime, when I took a sleeping pill, desperate for a respite from the pain. Often I took a couple, then another at 2am when I would wake drenched in sweat. When they ran out I went to the doctors to beg for more. But doctors don't like prescribing sleeping pills. I was taking zopiclone, which can be addictive and besides, they stop working if taken too often. I hadn't meant to, but the doctor's kindly face and gentle line of enquiry meant I told her my story. How I had lost two stone in as many months. That I was scared. Desperate. She suggested a low-dose antidepressant. I was surprised. I knew my sadness and anxiety were situational rather than inbuilt. SSRIs increase levels of serotonin, a brain chemical considered to have a beneficial influence on mood, emotion and sleep. Pictured, Rosie But mental turmoil is mental turmoil. She said the drug would help me to think more clearly to eat, to rest, to build strength. And, most importantly, to parent my two teenage children. I left with a prescription for sertraline, an SSRI, which stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, although I didn't much trouble myself with how the pill worked. I have since learnt that, even though it's Britain's most popular antidepressant, many in the medical profession are not exactly sure either. The general gist, according to the NHS website, is that SSRIs increase levels of serotonin, a brain chemical considered to have a beneficial influence on mood, emotion and sleep. I'd lost two stone in as many months. I was scared. Desperate Having more serotonin is also thought to make people more receptive to other types of treatment, such as CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy). And, in my case, other healing activities such as girls' nights out, holidays and watching Friends. Did I feel a stigma when I popped that first pill? Did I feel fear? I think I was in such mental turmoil that I didn't really consider it, but I do recall looking at the pharmacist as I handed over the script and wondering what she thought of me. But, as 8.3 million people in the UK are now taking antidepressants, I doubt she gave it a second thought. As I put that first pill in my mouth, for a split second I panicked about the long-term effects. Rosie (pictured) admits that she was conscious of what colleagues, potential boyfriends and the wider world may think of her I didn't tell my husband about the pills, even though we were still together at the time, supposedly working things through. I thought he would think me weak, and I was trying to be the perfect, non-needy wife. I know there is still a stigma around antidepressants and judgment from some quarters. A beloved relative has taken antidepressants at various points in her life and spent a lot of time scared her 'secret' would get out and she would be shamed. I was less fearful of being judged. When I started taking them I told my family. I thought I was open. But, I now realise, I was subconsciously editing out any mention of antidepressants from the newspaper and magazine pieces that I was writing. I have always prided myself on my honesty, yet I think I was worried that colleagues, potential boyfriends and the wider world might think me unstable. However, the truth is the pills made me far more stable. During the first week of taking them, anxiety still rampaged through my body, plus I felt a few waves of nausea and dizziness. Then, around a month in, I felt the famous 'click'. I was calmer, my body no longer in such a heightened state of fight or flight. My hands stopped shaking. I thought the social pause of lockdown was the ideal time to come off them. But two weeks after my last pill I was a sobbing, anxious wreck A month after that I found my dignity, stopped begging and pleading with my then husband and started to see the truth. I called out the lies. I had stopped spiralling. Today I attribute this, in large part, to sertraline. I took the pills religiously every day but, even with them buoying me up, the year my relationship ended was really hard. Looking back, I can't imagine how I would have made it through without them. The year after that was tough, too, but life had found a different rhythm. The children were calmer. I had started dating and, after 18 long months, I entered a new phase with a new boyfriend. I'd always intended to come off the antidepressants at some point, and then lockdown happened and I thought the social pause provided the ideal opportunity. I took one every other day for a few weeks and then stopped altogether. I felt OK when I was weaning myself off them. I DIY-ed, I continued writing, I baked banana bread. Then one day, maybe a week or two after my last pill, I became a sobbing, anxious wreck. Rosie says that pills helped her 'find her way through the darkness' and 'see hope when she felt only despair'. Stock image used I called my friend V, who had been my rock through my break-up. She told me I sounded exactly like I had done at the nadir: wretched. I hadn't told my then boyfriend that I was taking the pills so, of course, I didn't tell him that I had stopped. When I analyse why, I think it was because so much of dating is about presenting an easy-breezy image and I didn't want him to think I was a liability. In the event, my relationship spluttered and died. Did coming off the drugs prompt the split? Maybe. It probably made me a bit more vulnerable, less bubbly. Harder work, perhaps. In hindsight, it expedited the break-up rather than caused it. Whatever I felt low. Was this who I was underneath? Was I not any stronger? Was the happiness and strength I had been feeling purely chemical? I started to feel a modicum of regret over taking the pills. Was I back to the beginning? Had I done no 'real' healing? My cousin, a psychiatrist, calmed me. She told me that, after a while on an SSRI, your brain gets lazy and reduces the serotonin it makes for itself. Which means, when you stop taking the pills, you feel lower than you would naturally feel if you had never taken them. If the pills made you a nine-out-of-ten happy and you would normally be a seven, withdrawing from them can make you a five for a while, until your body kicks in and starts making more serotonin again. I felt like a three. I didn't want to ride this out. So I started taking the drugs again. And though I was grateful to feel better within weeks, part of me feared I could never live without them. It was easy to just get on with life. And I did. For another two years. 'Wait until your divorce is done and everything is calm before you try to come off them again,' advised my cousin. And so, last autumn, having been in a steady, happy relationship for 18 months with The Boyfriend and knowing that my children were much more stable, the divorce had been finalised and our house was secure I started lowering my dose. I took half a pill a day for three weeks (turns out taking them every other day is inadvisable as it precipitates ups and downs) and then . . . nothing. I wasn't scared, but I was apprehensive. I warned those close to me that I might be more emotional. And I worried it could affect my relationship by making me more needy, more anxious. With The Boyfriend, I have been much more open about my antidepressants. My post-marriage journey has taught me that showing your true self is essential in a relationship, as is communicating your needs. He was understanding and non-judgmental. In fact, everyone was supportive. I felt OK. I waited for the fall-out. None came. I did, and still do, feel moments of anxiety. Situations I might once have brushed off quickly require more time to process. A late-evening email might play on my mind and disrupt my sleep in ways it wouldn't have done before. The upset following a disagreement may take longer to dissipate. And, yes, I needed more reassurance in my relationship. Required a few more 'I Love Yous', hand squeezes and heart emoji WhatsApps. Happily, this wasn't a problem. I was, according to the children, 'more irritable'. I listened to Radio 4's Made Of Stronger Stuff podcast, and its host Dr Xand van Tulleken said that an increase in serotonin makes you focus on the positive rather than the negative. And this made sense. I can see how my brain has swung a few points over to the latter. Those rosy glasses are a slightly paler pink these days. But, on the flip side, I'm feistier. I feel more. My daughter wanted me to cry at her singing like the mums in the movies do, and now I do. It's like I've had a layer of Teflon removed. I've increased my emotional range. And, though it might seem strange to say, I like experiencing more sadness. It makes me feel more human. Rosie opened up about her experiences with withdrawal last month - and found the response 'incredible'. Stock image used But I caveat this whole withdrawal story with the fact that I needed to be ready to come off antidepressants. I liken it to potty training. When I tried to do it too early with my children it was a s***show (literally). Then, six months later, it was OK. This has been similar. Interestingly, antidepressant withdrawal is topical right now. NICE, the NHS watchdog, has just released new guidelines to GPs suggesting patients are weaned off them slowly rather than going 'cold turkey'. I didn't want my boyfriend to think I was a liability, so I didn't tell him And it's partly because I felt like there was a lack of knowledge around this process and of the emotional and physical effects that I decided to write a post about my successful withdrawal on Instagram last month. The response was incredible. I have a legion of loyal followers, many of whom have come along on my journey and had a similar experience to me, and without exception every single comment from them was supportive. They were grateful for the open discussion. Even those who are opposed to antidepressants, who feel they are given out too easily or are just a placebo, made their points respectfully. It showed me just how many women (and men) are taking them, or have taken them. Or are considering doing so. It also highlighted to me that, while in my social circle taking antidepressants is seen as entirely acceptable, there are many cultures where judgment very much exists. So many people told me, both in the comments and privately in direct messages, how somebody talking publicly about taking them reduces their feelings of shame. It has now been a month since I stopped taking the pills, and I feel OK. More than OK. My withdrawal coincided with highs (Christmas and a sunny holiday) and challenges (Christmas and a double whammy of the lurgy), but I haven't looked back. And I am thankful. These tiny pills helped me find my way through the darkness, see hope when I felt only despair. They gave my children a functioning mother when they needed one most. I am truly grateful for their existence. If life throws me against the rocks again I won't hesitate to seek out their help. Note: If you are taking medication, please consult your GP before making any changes. He says that health and helping others is more important than possessions Billy Billingham is chief instructor in the new series of SAS: Who Dares Wins Former SAS sergeant major Billy Billingham MBE is most famous for being on Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins. After leaving the military, he was a bodyguard to Hollywood stars such as Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. He has six children and lives in Hereford and Florida with his wife, designer Julie Colombino. War taught me what really matters Warfare shows you that health and helping others is far more important than possessions. I was in the Bosnian conflict with the SAS in the early 1990s. It was horrendous such brutality between communities. I was about to go home for a rest when my patrol came across a village ruined by fighting. An old man was sitting on rubble, next to his shattered home. We asked if he needed anything, but he said 'No, no, no' and shared practically the only thing he had left with us, his coffee. His friends in the village were helping him and each other. That meant a lot to him. 'And I have my health,' he said. He motioned to the remains of his house: 'All this is just materials.' Former SAS sergeant major Billy Billingham MBE says war taught him that health and helping others is more important than possessions That moment made me realise what really matters in life and it ain't the things you own. It's being able to look after yourself and others. As my children have grown up, when they've asked for an iPod, because a mate has one, I've said: 'You don't need it. While your friends sit at home with their gadgets, we're going camping.' They've loved having adventures with their family, being distracted from materialist nonsense. In 2008, I took my two eldest daughters, both in their early 20s, to Baghdad to work for my security company at the airport. The experience stayed with them: now one is studying forensic science and the other's a district nurse. My wife and I spend most of our time working with our charity, Rebuild Globally, in Haiti, which provides access to employment and education. Life isn't about what you've got. It's about what you do with it. The things I've seen over my military career have told me you don't know how much time you've got left. So don't waste it. Billy is chief instructor in the new series of SAS: Who Dares Wins, which starts tonight on Channel 4 at 9pm. There's a phrase every doctor dreads hearing when they are off duty: 'Is there a doctor here?' Even though we spend our lives dealing with emergency situations, and have been taught what to do when someone is in extremis, being put on the spot is always a tense experience. After all, doctors are only human and it can be a frightening moment. However, when your training kicks in you realise that even a little knowledge can make all the difference and you do your very best to help. But if it's nerve-racking for doctors, it must be overwhelming for members of the public. Reality TV star Mark Wright has spoken about how important it is that everyone learns basic CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), recalling a failed attempt to revive a stranger who'd had a cardiac arrest. He explained how he and his wife, actress Michelle Keegan, had just arrived at a hotel in Tenerife for a holiday when a woman approached them 'in a tizz' about her husband, who had collapsed. Reality TV star Mark Wright has spoken about how important it is that everyone learns basic CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Stock image used Mark performed CPR on him until the ambulance arrived. Although sadly the man didn't survive, his daughter posted on social media to thank Mark for his help, and explained that without his input her mother wouldn't have had the chance to say her goodbyes. So the fact that Mark didn't freeze in the moment, and had tried to help, brought some comfort to the grieving family. Many of those who have a cardiac arrest when their heart stops or isn't beating properly outside of hospital don't survive. According to the British Heart Foundation, in the UK there are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests a year where emergency medical services attempt to resuscitate the victim. However, the survival rate is low: just one in ten. Yet, early CPR and defibrillation (using a machine to give electric shocks to the heart) can double the chances of survival. The Government announced last week that it is rolling out defibrillators across schools in England. By the end of the academic year, 20,000 will be given out but this will only make a difference if people know how to use them. Dr Max Pemberton (pictured) shares the importance of learning Basic Life Support (BLS) in helping emergency situations NHS doctors, nurses, paramedics, police, fire staff and anyone trained in CPR can download an app called Goodsam, which is linked to most UK ambulance services. When a 999 call likely to be a cardiac arrest comes in, the app alerts nearby responders, whether they are on duty or not. Over the course of my career, I've performed CPR outside the hospital environment a surprising number of times. Quite often someone isn't actually in cardiac arrest but they are in a life-threatening situation, such as not breathing properly. I'd encourage everyone to learn the basics. It takes just a few hours and could save someone's life. Learning Basic Life Support (BLS) means you can manage most emergencies in a way that buys time until help arrives. I remember a road accident I came across where everyone was fixated on the leg bone poking through the man's flesh and trying to stop the bleeding, but they failed to realise that his tongue was obscuring his airway. He could have died in minutes. Mark explained how he and his wife, actress Michelle Keegan (both pictured), had just arrived at a hotel in Tenerife for a holiday when a woman approached them 'in a tizz' about her husband, who had collapsed This is what learning BLS teaches you to be aware of. Knowing how to assess a situation, how to keep a cool head and what to do if someone isn't breathing or their heart isn't beating is far more straightforward than you'd think. Another time, I was sitting in the front row of a Royal Shakespeare Company production of King Lear when I heard a strange whining noise coming from the row behind me. I ignored it. But then it came again. I turned round and could see that a woman behind me was quite restless in her seat. Then there was a loud thud as she collapsed into the footwell. One of the actors hesitated, clearly unsure if he should continue. Then, to my horror, I heard the unmistakeable sound of someone choking and climbed over the back of my chair. 'Help me lift her!' I shouted to the man in the seat next to her, and we carried her out. Once out of the stalls, we assessed her airway and put her in the recovery position. She started breathing again. What a tragedy it would have been if someone had choked to death simply because no one had known how to save her. So do, please, learn BLS. St John Ambulance and the Red Cross do courses, as do many councils. You can learn the basics of CPR on the British Heart Foundation website for free. Trust me, you never know when you might need it. An interesting benefit of HRT might be that it helps prevent Alzheimer's disease. A study has found HRT is linked with better memory and cognition in women with a genetic risk of developing the disease. I found this fascinating. For too long doctors have focused on the negatives of HRT and down-played the benefits. UK's most shocking statistic Our lack of knowledge about basic anatomy has been uncovered by a poll of 2,000 adults published last week. More than a third weren't completely confident they knew where their brain was! I think doctors often over-estimate the knowledge of the public, and use medical jargon that many patients just don't understand. I remember one patient who said she'd been told she was dying, but I could see she had been discharged from a kidney clinic. After much digging, I discovered she had been diagnosed with an acute renal injury temporary damage to her kidney. I spoke to her again and told her the diagnosis. Yes, she replied she didn't understand what renal meant, but knew it was terminal, because that's what acute means. You can imagine her relief when I explained the situation. But it made me pause: how often had I used words assuming my patients knew what they meant? Now, I always check that they've understood by asking them to relay back the information I've given them. I also write to them afterwards so they have a record of it. Online self-harm images are a huge problem. Unless you have a child or work with children, it's sometimes difficult to appreciate the scale of the issue. But imagine if I started giving tips on how to avoid detection when you have anorexia, or encouraged people to cut themselves? There would be an outcry. Yet social-media giants have precisely this kind of content on their sites. It's madness. Samaritans has now intervened in the Government's proposed Online Safety Bill, saying it doesn't go far enough. Come on, what are we doing? We owe it to young people to ensure we have robust laws to protect them. DR MAX PRESCRIBES... A SLICE OF OFFICE CAKE Bringing cake to work is like passive smoking, according to Professor Susan Jebb, chair of the Food Standards Agency. Stock image used Bringing cake to work is like passive smoking, according to Professor Susan Jebb, chair of the Food Standards Agency. It's not though, is it? There's no harm in the odd sweet treat as part of a sensible, healthy eating regime. Statements like Susan Jebb's just make people feel that health professionals are out of touch and killjoys. Have your cake and eat it, I say. Just do it in moderation. Kindship is an app to support parents raising a child with a disability New brand Kindship offered her work and support through the tough time In 2018 her husband was diagnosed with cancer and her father died this year Her son Ashton, nine, was diagnosed with autism at age seven Sydney mum Amanda Kenny, 40, feels like she's been through hell and back An Australian mum-of-five has spoken about the reality of parenting a child with autism and how others in a similar position can receive support via a new app. Amanda Kenny, from Sydney, didn't work full-time for years to support her son Ashton, nine, who was diagnosed with autism when he was seven. The 40-year-old mum told FEMAIL she struggled finding the right school for him as he would just 'run away', and going into public spaces was also difficult. 'He would always run in the opposite direction to the school and I'd get a call an hour after dropping him off to come and pick him up, so working was out of the question,' she said. At the same time while caring for her five boys, Amanda was also supporting her husband and dad who were going through cancer treatment. Tough Sydney mum Amanda Kenny (pictured with son Ashton) spoke about the difficulties she's faced in the last few years. Her son Ashton was diagnosed with autism at age seven 'Ashton (second from left) would always run in the opposite direction to the school and I'd get a call an hour after dropping him off to come and pick him up, so working full-time was out of the question,' she said 'Life with Ashton is a constant challenge. He requires psychology, speech therapy, occupational therapy and behaviour therapy,' Amanda said. 'Often these sessions would need to be during school hours or directly after it making employment once again impossible.' As a toddler Ashton showed 'all the signs' of autism from delayed language skills to lack of social skills. What are the signs of autism in toddlers? Delayed language skills Delayed movement skills Delayed cognitive or learning skills Hyperactive, impulsive, and/or inattentive behaviour Epilepsy or seizure disorder Unusual eating and sleeping habits Gastrointestinal issues (for example, constipation) Unusual mood or emotional reactions Source: cdc.gov.au Advertisement 'I knew he was different to my other children and, if anything, the diagnosis helped clarify this because it meant we now knew how to help him,' Amanda said. It also meant she and husband Nathan needed to shift their parenting tactics. 'He would have meltdowns in shopping centres and other people would stare thinking he was just throwing a tantrum,' Amanda said. Amanda said Ashton is 'very particular' about his food and will only drink water from a clear plastic bottle. 'He loves tinned pineapple and only wears specialty socks - it's a sensory thing,' she said. 'He also doesn't like loud spaces as he has very sensitive hearing.' When going out to family events or to school, Amanda always packs snacks, brings his particular water bottle and ensures he's wearing his favourite socks. Early on she also was honest with her older three son's - Ethan, 14, Lucas, 13, Jackson, 12 - about Ashton's diagnosis. 'I said things like 'his brain is a little bit different to ours and thinks too fast' and how his ears hurt because they're so sensitive,' she said. 'But the boys, when they were younger, didn't quite understand that.' As a toddler Ashton (pictured) showed 'all the signs' of autism from delayed language skills to lack of social skills. 'I knew he was different to my other children and, if anything, the diagnosis helped clarify this because it meant we now knew how to help him,' Amanda said Early on she also was honest with her older three son's (pictured) - Ethan, 14, Lucas, 13, Jackson, 12 - about Ashton's diagnosis Unfortunately in 2018 Amanda's husband Nathan (pictured second from right) was diagnosed with hodgkin's lymphoma, which impacted the family financially and emotionally. 'At the time I thought he was going to die; I was preparing myself for the worst, it was an awful time,' Amanda said. What followed was an ongoing battle for the family Unfortunately in 2018 Nathan was diagnosed with hodgkin's lymphoma, which impacted the family financially and emotionally. 'At the time I thought he was going to die; I was preparing myself for the worst, it was an awful time,' Amanda said. 'I thought I was cursed; It was one thing after the other and everything kept getting worse.' What followed was an ongoing battle for the family with Nathan going into surgeries and cancer treatments, while Amanda was taking care of the kids. Flash forward to this year and both Nathan and Amanda's dad were in hospital. 'It was hell on earth, I felt completely torn and guilty because I couldn't be in two places at once,' she said. Unfortunately her father, 72, took his last breath on September 16 while Nathan is in remission. Despite experiencing years of ongoing challenges, Amanda said she 'did what she had to do' and pushed through. Today she works from home for the new Aussie brand Kindship - a new app developed by four mums who also have a child with a disability Despite experiencing years of ongoing challenges, Amanda said she 'did what she had to do' and pushed through. 'At the time I was constantly questioning what bad thing will happen next. After my dad passed away I realised how short life is and how we don't know what's around the corner,' she said. 'But when you're in a situation like I was, you don't have time to pity yourself, you need to keep going and be strong for your kids and family.' Today Amanda works from home for the new Aussie brand Kindship - a new app developed by four mums who also have a child with a disability. What is Kindship? Kindship is the first social networking app built by and exclusively for parents raising children with disabilities, delays, and neurodiversity. The app offers mums and dads a safe, private, and fundamentally kind space to connect with and learn from like-minded parents on similar journeys The founders are four mums who all have children living with a disability Kindship's app is already helping more than 1000 families each week The brand is set to launch an Australian first innovation called the Kindship Wallet that couples AI technology with community recommendations so parents are matched up to the best service providers for their needs Advertisement The social networking platform offers a place for parents to receive support from others within the community also going through similar experiences. And the app is already helping more than 1000 families each week. The brand is set to launch an Australian first innovation called the Kindship Wallet that couples AI technology with community recommendations so parents are matched up to the best service providers for their needs. The Kindship Wallet allows parents to search for services by parent rating, waitlist times, and distance. 'The Kindship team is built with so much heart I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of it and Ill be forever grateful for the opportunity they have given me,' Amanda said. The men falsely claim sex is more reliable and will help make a healthier baby British men are trying to lure women desperate for a baby into having unprotected sex under the pretence it's more successful than fertility treatments. MailOnline found dozens of men on a sperm donor matchmaking website claiming natural insemination will increase the chances of having a baby, or help guarantee a healthy newborn. These men present the 'traditional' method as a superior alternative to IVF or home insemination kits, which can inject donated sperm into the vagina. The UK's independent regulator of fertility treatment, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), has warned women to 'never' agree to have sex with a sperm donor due to the dangers. And fertility experts have told MailOnline that the men's claims are completely false and have urged women to and couples to avoid them. Meet some of the British men offering their sperm online with offering dubious claims about natural insemination. Also don't worry, they insist 'it's not a perv thing' HOW DOES IVF WORK? In-vitro fertilisation, known as IVF, is a medical procedure in which a woman has an already-fertilised egg inserted into her womb to become pregnant. It is used when couples are unable to conceive naturally, and a sperm and egg are removed from their bodies and combined in a laboratory before the embryo is inserted into the woman. Once the embryo is in the womb, the pregnancy should continue as normal. The procedure can be done using eggs and sperm from a couple or those from donors. Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that IVF should be offered on the NHS to women under 43 who have been trying to conceive through regular unprotected sex for two years. People can also pay for IVF privately, which costs up to 5,000 or more according to the NHS. The success rate of IVF depends on the age of the woman undergoing treatment, as well as the cause of the infertility (if it's known). Younger women are more likely to have a successful pregnancy. IVF isn't usually recommended for women over the age of 42 because the chances of a successful pregnancy are thought to be too low. In 2019, the percentage of IVF treatments that resulted in a live birth was: 32 percent for women under 35 25 per cent for women aged 35 to 37 19 per cent for women aged 38 to 39 11 per cent for women aged 40 to 42 5 per cent for women aged 43 to 44 4 per cent for women aged over 44 About eight million babies are thought to have been born due to IVF since the first ever case, British woman Louise Brown, was born in 1978. Advertisement In one such profile on Co-ParentMatch.com, Jason, who claims to be a 50-year-old driving instructor from Nottingham, said: 'Sorry but the old way works. 'It's not a perv thing, [I] just feel there is girls and lady's [sic] that can't get pregnant in the new ways or can't afford the high price.' He added: 'It would be just sex for that one thing.' Another user, supposedly a 38-year-old IT worker from London named Jack, who described himself as 'polite and respectful gentleman', argued natural insemination 'increases the chances of a healthy baby'. And Sinbad, who claims to be a 34-year-old prison officer from London, claimed it was 'without a doubt most effective way, [rather] than messing around with bits and bobs', and that it was also the 'Christian' way of doing things. Other profiles seen by this website spouted similar claims or offered to accommodate women in their homes for the 'process', another thing HFEA warns women against. Some men also offered a partial insemination service, where they would masturbate and then only engage in sex moments before ejaculation. A HFEA spokesperson told MailOnline anyone thinking of using a sperm donor outside of an approved clinic should use extreme caution. 'Anyone thinking of using a sperm donor outside of a HFEA licensed fertility clinic should be aware that there may be serious health, legal and potential personal safety risks,' they said. 'This may put both mother and child at risk of disease, as well as lead to future issues over parenthood rights.' One of the key warning signs was a sperm donor insisting or an attempt to convince a hopeful parent of the merits of natural insemination. 'They may try to convince you that 'natural' insemination offers a better chance of getting pregnant over Intrauterine insemination (IUI), but this is not necessarily the case,' the HFEA spokesperson said. Dr Tim Bracewell-Milnes, an expert in reproductive medicine from Imperial College London, said the fact that potential sperm donors were making these claims online was 'alarming'. 'Couples trying to conceive, same sex couples wanting a baby, or single women wanting to conceive are potentially quite vulnerable and it sounds like these online donors are trying to take advantage of them,' he said. He said using a sperm donor offering his services for free may indeed be cheaper than a fertility clinic, but it can be case of getting what you pay for. 'It is always safer for patients to get pregnant using donor sperm in a fertility clinic setting,' he said. 'Using online donors may well be cheaper but there are many reasons for that.' Dr Bracewell-Milnes added that in addition to checking the sperm is actually capable of fertilisation approved clinics also perform a number of legal and health checks. 'Fertility clinics and sperm banks would ensure there is a rigorous medical and sexual health screening performed on all donors,' he said. 'Appropriate paperwork would be filled to ensure the donor cannot claim any legal parental responsibilities.' He added that the men's claims natural inseminations is more reliable or produces healthier offspring was a lie. 'This is not true at all,' he said. Dr Bracewell-Milnes said that, overall, a woman between the age of 35-37 years, the general age that most fertility treatment would be considered, trying to have baby naturally has a one in 10 chance of conceiving per month. In contrast, a technique called intra-uterine insemination (IUI) where a highly concentrated sample of sperm is injected through a special tube deep inside the vagina has a success rate of 12 per cent per month. IVF, where an egg is stimulated, extracted fertilised and then implanted into the womb directly is 35 per cent successful per try. 'IUI or IVF would always be more successful per month than natural conception with a sperm donor,' Dr Bracewell-Milnes said. Both IUI and IVF can be available on the NHS though waiting times can be long. It is also available privately though this can be expensive with IUI costing upwards of 700, and IVF 5,000. Home insemination kits, where donated sperm is added to a turkey baster like device that is then inserted into the vagina is also available for as little as 2, but success rates with these can vary widely depending on model and technique. Dr Bracewell-Milnes also said that he would advise women or couples to consult a fertility expert before embarking on any form of treatment to discuss their options. A HFEA spokesperson said: 'Donor treatment can be expensive and there is limited NHS funding using donor eggs or sperm which can lead patients to find their own donors online.' 'If you undergo a private arrangement, you will not have the same safety and legal protections and there are no limits to how many children have been born from the same donor.' As with any sexual activity natural insemination carries a risk of sexually transmitted infections. Companies used to live by the credo that the customer is always right. The UK is a services economy. But despite bleating ad nauseam about how kind and socially responsible they are, most firms don't seem to give a flying fig about their customers. I no longer even expect adequate service, but brace myself from the start for ineptitude, indifference, fobbing off, gaslighting and interminable call waiting. It's modish for companies to pretend to care about mental health, so why do they inflict psychological torture on customers? Something to shout about: It's modish for companies to pretend to care about mental health, so why do they inflict psychological torture on customers? Even the simplest piece of household admin risks becoming a road that will descend into customer service Hades. Like many of us, I have tried to shop around for cheaper home insurance when presented with a large hike in premiums. In our case, an increase of 16.5 per cent, despite more than a decade of no claims. Perhaps we should think ourselves lucky, in comparison with the extortionate increases of 70 per cent or more identified by Jeff Prestridge in The Mail on Sunday. Trying to find a better deal involved life-sapping conversations on crackly lines to far-flung call centres including one where the handler cut me off after 22 minutes and 56 seconds because her shift was finished. But individual staff at the sharp end, who often seem to be perfunctorily trained and operating from a script, are not to blame. The culprits are corporates who farm out 'service' to cheap locations overseas and deploy half-baked artificial intelligence. This lethal combination is a recipe for rage, as I found when I tried to find out from my electricity provider why the standing charge had doubled in two years. First I was provided with scripted answers explaining why the energy price had risen. When I pointed out this does not explain the standing charge hike, I was told it was because I had switched from a fixed to variable tariff, but that made no sense either. One simple question led to a WhatsApp odyssey lasting three days, involving five humans and a couple of robots but no satisfactory response. I have several theories on why service has gone downhill. Even if companies want to provide good service, the current labour shortages make it difficult. It also feels as though customers have been relegated in the pecking order, behind employees. A culture of pandering to the workforce by weak managements has taken hold post-Covid. But the trend among organisations to shun human contact in favour of automated 'solutions' usually nothing of the kind predates the pandemic. Banks want us to use apps so they can close branches. Supermarkets steer us to self-checkout. Passengers must check in their baggage and print boarding passes. Even HMRC has joined in. To avoid speaking to taxpayers, they want to send texts. Don't they realise no sane person rings their tax office for fun? We call only if we have to, usually when a text reply will not suffice. Service is being jettisoned in an unacceptable transfer of effort from companies to their customers. They want to turn us into unpaid bank clerks, shop assistants, airline check-in staff and meter readers. The latter have long been extinct and consumers have been bullied into installing supposedly 'smart' meters. Ours conked out in early January and we were initially told it might not be fixed for six months. It works again now, but for how long? A survivor of female genital mutilation (FGM) calls for an end of the barbaric practice - which is still identified in many women each year in the UK alone - and has 'no blame' for her mother who took her to a backstreet clinic aged nine. Basma Kamel, 30, is a student at London Metropolitan University and she was a victim of FGM at nine years old, after going on a 'summer vacation' with her mother during her school holidays while still living in Egypt before moving to the UK in 2019. Over the last seven years alone, more than 30,000 cases of FGM were newly identified by NHS doctors, despite the practice being illegal since 1985. Ms Kamel, who wants to raise awareness about the issue so others don't suffer the same consequences like her and the over 30,000 other affected women in the UK, said: 'She told me we were going on a summer vacation, but she had arranged to do this to me, encouraged by her friends and other mothers. Basma Kamel, 30, who was a victim of female genital mutilation (FGM) when she was nine years old. She said she struggled with her mental health for a long time after her FGM, but is now able to accept her own body 'We went to a doctor in a special clinic where I had the procedure. 'Honestly, I didn't have any idea about what is going on. 'The doctor told me it is only a small surgery and it wouldn't be painful.' But a week after undergoing the procedure Basma was bleeding, because the stitches were 'open and had to be refreshed again'. The law on FGM Female genital mutilation has been a specific offence in the UK since the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985. The 1985 Act was replaced by the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. It now includes assisting and taking children abroad to be cut. Carrying out FGM currently carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. In 2019, the mother of a three-year-old girl has become the first person to be found guilty of FGM in the UK. The 37-year-old woman was jailed for 11 years in the landmark case. Advertisement Ms Kamel said her mother never gave her a proper explanation why she had to have the circumcision, but added: 'She said that this is something we all do for all girls, so every woman has to go through it. 'She said it's good for my future when I get married. 'I didn't really understand what the difference was when I was nine.' She is not angry at her mother anymore. Ms Kamel said: 'I understand she was not aware of the real consequences of FGM and she is a survivor as well. 'I don't blame her for doing this, because this is something that every woman in our culture does to her daughter.' She is still suffering from the consequences of her FGM today. 'I'm experiencing PTSD and complicated intersexual relationships,' she said. 'Before coming to the UK in 2019, I was unable to have a sexual relationship. 'I finally got therapy here and it helped me understand myself and showed me that I can have a normal relationship.' 'I always need to explain myself to a partner and I need to really take my time. 'Sometimes I'm unable to say I'm a survivor and that this has happened to me. 'There is so much pain and shame. It takes a lot of energy to explain FGM to a person and it has really affected my mental health. 'I'm accepting my body now, but before I wasn't. I felt very angry and incomplete.' As a FGM survivor, it is really important for the 30-year-old to raise awareness, as the procedure is still being done today, despite being illegal in the UK since 1985 and punishable with up to 14 years in prison. New data in December revealed that for the first time last year, the number of newly identified cases of FGM has decreased and does not exceed 700 during the four month period from July to September when the data was collected by the NHS. Overall, the number of FGM cases identified by NHS workers has decreased from the start of the data collection in 2015 with 6,000 cases to now, where the number of roughly 3,000 newly identified cases per year has been consistent for the last three years. Overall, the number of FGM cases identified by NHS workers has decreased from the start of the data collection in 2015 with 6,000 cases to now, where the number of roughly 3,000 newly identified cases per year has been consistent for the last three years Ms Kamel said: 'Sometimes I'm unable to say I'm a survivor and that this has happened to me. There is so much pain and shame. It takes a lot of energy to explain this to a person and it has really affected my mental health. I'm accepting my body now, but before I wasn't. I felt very angry and incomplete' (file image) 'It's banned, but it's still being done,' Ms Kamel said. 'I wish more people complained about it and that more advocacy work would be done in Africa. More than 3,000 new FGM cases a year in UK, stats suggest Figures produced by the NHS in 2022 suggested there may be more than 3,000 newly identified victims of FGM in the UK each year. NHS Digital produced stats of cases which were spotted by nurses or doctors around the country. It is thought the majority of cases involved mutilation abroad. The up-to-date figures, which were supposed to be released on December 1, were delayed for more than two weeks until December 20 due to 'operational issues'. In the three quarters of data collection this year up until September, 2,320 new cases of FGM were identified by nurses and doctors in the NHS. Advertisement 'I hope that education there and here in the UK will be provided to people and communities who believe in FGM. 'There should also be more support for survivors. 'I'm trying to encourage younger mothers now not to do this to their daughters. 'Many women think it's normal, because they have never experienced anything different. I want them to understand. 'People will only stop when they realise that this procedure has consequences, not just physical but also psychological. 'Hopefully soon this practice will stop everywhere.' Ms Kamel added that she hopes by sharing her story, she can do her part to end FGM in the UK as well as her home country Egypt. FGM is carried out for a number of cultural, religious or social reasons and some families and communities believe that FGM will benefit the girl in some way, such as preparing them for marriage or childbirth, according to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). Kam Thandi from the NSPCC said: 'FGM is a horrific form of child abuse that has no place in today's society. 'FGM can cause lasting physical and emotional scars including severe pain and infertility along with mental health problems such as depression, flashbacks and self-harm. 'Children who experience it often don't know what is happening so it's crucial that anyone who is aware of someone who is at risk of FGM speaks out to ensure this dangerous practice is ended once and for all.' Chinese Lunar New Year celebrated in Serbia with grand gala, fireworks Xinhua) 10:00, January 22, 2023 BELGRADE, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- With fireworks, lion dance, and a festival of tastes, Serbians and overseas Chinese welcomed the Chinese Lunar New Year in Belgrade on Saturday. The central celebration welcoming the Year of the Rabbit held at the Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade gathered several hundreds of people, including Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and the Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo, who were all entertained by lion dancers who just flew here from China. "We are (the Lion Dance team) from the Dong Fang Wu Shu School in Dongming County, Shandong Province, and we came to Serbia to show our traditional Chinese culture and bring a lot of flavors of the Chinese New Year to Serbia," Yang Zhengqiang, one of the lion dancers told Xinhua. At the beginning of the celebration, Brnabic said that the New Year celebrations across the country display the love of the Serbian people towards the Chinese. "On behalf of our people I wish you (China and Chinese people) good health, luck, and many new economic achievements," she said, pledging to further strengthen the "iron-clad friendship" between China and Serbia. She thanked China's support to Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the selfless support and assistance amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Chen said that this traditional cultural manifestation is the embodiment of the "iron-clad friendship" between the two peoples, who, although geographically far away, are getting closer. "In the past year, we jointly built a fast railway, highways, opened new factories and started direct flights, and increased bilateral trade. We strive towards economic development and a better life, while the friendship between people represents a foundation for our cooperation in all areas," Chen said. After the speeches, the gathered people counted the seconds until the grandiose fireworks announced midnight in Beijing, China, and later marched to the Republic Square, where the Festival of Tastes of the Belt and Road is being held, with traditional food from the countries that participated in the Belt and Road Initiative. "This is not my first time trying Chinese food -- I love it very much. We were late for the fireworks, but the children loved the lion dance," said one young mother who brought her two children to the festival. Manuela, a tourist from Germany said that she liked the festival and was "super happy" to celebrate with Chinese and Serbian people. "I was super excited because this is my first time seeing the Chinese New Year celebration and the lion dance, as well as a little Kong Fu show," said the German girl, who is also practicing Kung Fu (martial arts). Ana Leginj who came from the vicinity of Novi Sad, Serbia's second-largest city, just to attend the celebration for the first time. "It was phenomenal, especially the lion dance, it is really nicely imagined, together with the culinary offer," she said. The message "Happy Chinese New Year" was broadcast from the Belgrade Tower, the tallest building in this part of the Balkans. Besides Belgrade, the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year will be held in Serbia's other large cities. The festivities in Serbia, held here for the fifth consecutive year -- will continue until Jan. 26. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun) An 'ex-incel' has shone a light on the sinister world of involuntary celibates and their cryptic online language. A 23-year-old from Chicago has lifted the lid on incel ideology which, in its simplest form, refers to people unable to find a romantic or sexual partner despite wanting one. Yet recently, incels have become more known as violent extremists, with the term made famous following a number of mass murders including the 2014 Isla Vista killings committed by Elliot Rodger, and the UK's Plymouth gun attack in 2021. The Plymouth gunman, Jake Davison, 23, killed five people, including his mother and a toddler before turning the gun on himself. Plymouth shooter Jake Davison (pictured) opened fire on strangers, killing five people before turning the gun on himself THE INCEL CODES GIGACHAD Extremely muscular man CHAD Conventionally attractive man STACY Conventionally attractive woman BECKY Physically plain woman BLACK PILL A fatalistic idea that an incel cannot improve their own situation and should accept their fate of unattractiveness, lack of wealth or social status RED PILL Refers to waking up from your 'normal' life of ignorance and seeing the world how it really is BLUE PILL A person who lives a conventional life, unaware of mens 'oppression' by women PURPLE PILL Feeling unsure about conventional stances but rejecting a particularly gendered value system LOOKSMAX Using earnings, possessions, exercise or plastic surgery to maximise attractiveness GOING ER Inspired by US mass murderer, Elliot Rodger, means a killing spree ROPE Denotes suicide LDAR Translates to Lie Down And Rot, indicating there is no hope in life Advertisement An inquest begun just this Tuesday for the victims of his attack, with concerns raised about why the UK man was allowed to legally own a firearm under a sporting licence. Elliot Rodger also killed six people and injured fourteen near the University of California campus before shooting himself. He committed these crimes after believing he was 'denied' sex and love. Despite this, Riley Drapp of Chicago, stressed that not all incels have violent tendencies and are often drawn to toxic online communities in their loneliest moments. The 23-year-old urged that young men struggling with their sexual identities need more support to steer them away from extremism. He said: 'I think the incels featured on the news are the one per cent - those are a completely different breed. Most incels are the ones with sexual struggle. 'I was in a properly dark period in my life. I dropped out of college I didn't have a job and I didn't do well financially. 'I was right about to turn 21 and then the pandemic happened, so I couldn't go out to a bar or anything so that was kind of sad. 'I didn't really have many friends. I just felt like my life wasn't really going anywhere. 'All I would do all day is stay eternally online on social media, maybe playing a game or two here or there but I realised it really didn't help.' Riley found a dark part of the internet which he claimed was largely driven by 18 to 25-year-olds with a 'warped perception' on life. For over a year, he looked at life through the lens of incel terminologies and theories. The community hosts a number of 'pill' ideologies ranging in colours such as black, blue, red and purple. Riley related most to the beliefs of the black pill which he described as having accepted his fate of feeling unattractive and sad. Incels also uses a number of terms to describe different types of people. The word 'chad' is used to represent a conventionally attractive and successful man, while a 'Stacy' depicts a conventionally attractive woman. The idea of 'looksmax' also refers to using earnings, possessions, exercise or plastic surgery to maximise attractiveness. Some incels have taken the idea of this to another level by hitting themselves in the face with hammers in an attempt to become more attractive. At one point, Riley was hooked on much of the vocabulary used by incels. He said: 'One time my parents had a neighbourhood party and there was this one kid and he looked around 6ft 2 and he had his girlfriend there. He had a little bit of muscle and I was like "oh this guy looks like a gigachad". 'I wanted to get those incel terms out of my head - the whole chad, the whole red pill, the whole black pill - all those really toxic terms just out of my head.' Killer: Elliot Rodger told friends he had thoughts of raping women, family friends said One of the most extreme phrases used by some is 'going ER' which refers to conducting a killing spree in the name of mass murderer Elliot Rodger. 'LDAR' also translates to Lie Down and Rot, which some incels use to express that there is no hope in life. Although Riley stressed that he did not resonate with the community's more extreme outlooks, he did admit to feeling jealous of women at one point. He continued: 'I wouldn't say I was ever at the extreme point, more so just a point of jealousy and a really low point in my life. I would never wish ill-will on anybody. I don't think I hated women and didn't feel animosity.' The word 'gigachad' refers to an extremely attractive, muscular and successful man while a chad is a conventionally attractive man (file image) Conventionally attractive women are referred to as 'Stacys' while those perceived to be physically plainer are called 'Beckys' (file image) Riley was motivated to quit the incel community for good after learning more about the #MeToo movement a few years ago. A long list posted online alleged that more than one hundred gamers in an internet Super Smash Bro community had committed sexual misconduct - some of which Riley had previously spoken with. Nintendo said it was 'deeply disturbed' by the allegations and issued a statement to IGM. The company expressed that it condemns 'all acts of violence, harassment, and exploitation against anyone and that we stand with the victims.' 'I never really saw it coming - it was disturbing. I thought, "oh god I don't want to be around these people",' Riley said. The incel community hosts a number of 'pill' ideologies that incels follow ranging in colours such as black, blue, red and purple (file image) One of the more extreme phrases used by some members of the community is 'LDAR', translating to Lie Down and Rot, which some incels use to indicate that there is no hope in life (file image) The 23-year-old has since been drawn to advice forums such as 'incel exit' on Reddit which has allowed him to talk with other incels who are looking to break out of the extremist community. He continued: 'I found incel exit which is more so a guidance for people who want to leave this very toxic community. 'Thankfully I lived with a very supportive family - I am very thankful for that. I sent them a little bit about this stuff and they were like "yeah this is kind of disturbing you should probably not look at this".' Riley has also now managed to get a job building utility boxes for an electrical company. He added: 'Now I'm trying to eat a little bit healthier and trying to take care of myself a little bit better.' Mass murderer Elliot Rodger inspired some of the language now used by some members of the incel community. The phrase 'going ER' which refers to conducting a killing spree in the name of Rodger (file image) But Riley feels that some type of charity support could help other young men who fall into the trappings of the incel community. He said: 'The thing with a lot of incels is that they need some kind of guidance. The reason why they have these feelings is for a reason it's not like they have things completely perfect in life. 'The things online makes people think this is how reality really works but it doesn't - they are really extreme ways of feeling things. 'Maybe they don't have anyone else to look up to. You've got to understand that there always might be something causing this. A lot of them do not know where to go towards.' The idea of 'looksmax' also refers to using earnings, possessions, exercise or plastic surgery to maximise attractiveness (file image) Some incels have taken 'looksmax' to another level, with some hitting themselves in the face with hammers in attempt to look more attractive Being depressed, paranoid, anxious all make men more likely to become an incel, researchers from the University of Rome found While Riley lives in the U.S, incel culture also persists in the UK where there have been calls to make it part of school curriculum in an attempt to tackle misogyny. At the start of 2022, incel sites grew from 114,420 monthly visits to 638,505, with many referring to the Plymouth gunman as a hero. Two years prior also saw the first incel investigation conducted by Britain's counter-terrorism police. Teacher, Kathryn Downs from a Leeds secondary school previously said: 'A study in October 2021, suggested that there was a 6.3 per cent chance of being suggested an incel-related video by YouTube within five "hops" of a non-incel related video. 'Clearly this shows the dangers of failing to support and improve the mental wellbeing of boys within schools. 'Language and stereotyping attitudes such as "cry like a girl" or "fight like a boy" means that boys as well as girls still struggle to express their own difficulties with their mental wellbeing or feel like they need to suffer in silence.' He says people are either fascinated or horrified by his job When Damien Veal tells people what he does for a living the reaction is either one of fascination or horror. The former teacher works as a correctional officer at Canberra's Alexander Maconochie Centre, Australia's only major adult prison in the ACT, which has repeatedly been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Although it was designed to be a state-of-the-art model prison that focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment, the jail has been dogged almost from inception by reports of violence, drug use and failure to reform inmates. Corrections Officer Damien Veal has been working for three years at the Alexander Maconochie Centre CO Veal admits when he started at the jail 'morale was pretty low comparatively'. 'Working with people in the last six months there has been a real effort to bring everyone together and lift everyone up a little bit,' he said. In terms of his unusual career shift, the 46-year-old says being a prison guard is not 'dissimilar in a lot of ways' to being a teacher. He admits some are surprised to find out his occupation because he doesn't match the expectations of the tyrannical, perhaps even sadistic, prison guard as so often portrayed by Hollywood. 'The reaction I get is quite mixed,' he said. 'Some people are quite fascinated about what it's like. CO Veal (pictured left) says the job of being a prison officer is very challenging because of th unexpected nature of the occupation 'Some people are pretty horrified because they base it on the stereotypes that are out there but generally it's "that's very interesting" and wanting to find out more kind of response.' For CO Veal the most challenging aspect is the unexpected nature of the job. 'We are always living under the threat of incident - that's the nature of the beast,' he said. 'Coming out of that is the camaraderie among staff, there are fantastic here and we all get on really well. 'We all support each other really effectively.' CO Veal said he had never been threatened or targeted but sometimes had to step in to break up fights and been in situations where he thought it could 'turn bad'. CO Veal says that people who meet him are often surprised that he doesn't fit the 'stereotype' of a prison guard Perhaps the most harrowing involved a riot of 27 inmates in November 2021 who refused to go back to their cells and fights broke out. CO Veal said it had been an 'intense situation' where he spent 18 hours at the centre as the detainees torched an accommodation unit before a negotiated truce was reached. 'It taught us a lot moving forward,' he said of the experience. Co Veal decided to make the switch from teaching three years ago. 'I wanted a challenge,' he said. 'I wanted to try something different as well but still feel I was making a contribution to the world.' Three inmates take some exercise walking the corridor of the Alexander Maconochie Centre To qualify he did 10-week course onsite and completed a certificate three qualification in Correctional Practice. Salaries for ACT Corrections Officers start at $69,433 and can climb up to around $122,000 for the most senior ranks. CO Veal said officers need a particular blend of traits to be successful in the job. 'You need someone who is empathetic, realistic, responsive, flexible and able to move with the times and think creatively,' he said. 'It takes all sorts and we have all types of people working here but I think we all have those traits and characteristics. 'It is a bit of give and take constantly responding to a shifting environment. 'I find it quite challenging, I actually really like it.' Although it is vital to build rapport with prisoners there is a fine line to tread, with an unspoken rule that he will never break. 'We are friendly yes, but being a friend with inmates is a "no". 'Friendly works and if we are able to do more of that stuff on the coalface that eliminates potential issues. 'I have thought that prisoners are trying to manipulate me, or use me. I am aware of it.' The officer shot down some of the stereotypes of prison life from TV and the movies. He said people in the ACT jail don't form into ethnic groups or clans and newcomers didn't have to prove themselves by 'taking on' the hardest prisoner in the unit. A recent report into the Centre identified a lack of structure and boredom as being major problems with some inmates not bothering to get out of bed until lunchtime. CO Veal admitted that was still happening in some areas. However, he believed a new program that was rewarding and modelling positive behaviour was 'shifting the focus away from punishment to reward'. Corrections Officers must walk a fine line of being friendly with detainees but not becoming friends with them 'It's been really successful so far,' CO Veal said. 'I have been enjoying the new opportunities in the last six months.' Asked whether his career swap would be permanent CO Veal said 'at this stage absolutely'. As much as he's enjoying career satisfaction, it's still a relief that it's just a job. 'It's a nice feeling leaving each day of course,' he said. Conservative commentator Sydney Watson reckons the world is 'living through an incredibly dumb period of time' and has expressed admiration for Tony Abbott and Pauline Hanson. The prominent Melbourne-raised US resident recently shot to fame after being squashed between 'two obese people' on a flight and complaining about it. Watson, 29, created an online storm and made headlines around the world after she sent photos of her predicament to her social media followers. But the extent of her fanbase - 800,000 YouTube subscribers, 411,000 Twitter followers, regular TV appearances and articles - showed she had already made big waves in conservative commentary since moving to the US in 2019. In an exclusive interview, she told Daily Mail Australia about how her childhood and early experiences in Australia helped shape her into the adult she has become and shared her explosive views on how the world became 'a lot less clever'. Australian conservative commentator Sydney Watson (pictured) reckons the world is 'living through an incredibly dumb period of time' 'My background was split, you could say, between two very different parents: my mum is a classic American who is very much about individual freedom, and my dad is a traditional, cheeky Australian from Western Australia,' she said. 'Growing up between these two attitudes was interesting. 'High school wasn't for me, and I certainly wouldn't classify myself as a child who 'fit in'. I was awkward, gangly and very opinionated - and also going through an unfortunate 'emo' phase where I was a sight to behold. 'I think that sometimes made me a hard pill to swallow for other students.' Watson said the University of Melbourne 'was a different beast entirely', where she studied criminology, thinking she'd go into law, but ended up with a master's degree in journalism. 'Looking back on it, my experiences in Australia did likely shape my political opinions. Although, since moving to the United States, I do realise that I don't fall neatly anywhere politically.' She feels many of her views are too 'American' to align with Australians, and vice versa. 'It puts you in this strange position where you're always making someone cross for never being wholly on one side or the other.' Her 'business-orientated family' taught her the value of hard work from a young age. Sydney Watson (pictured) said her experiences in Australia shaped her political opinions 'I have plenty of memories going to work with my dad he would put us kids to work. Being in an environment where my parents were self-employed shaped a lot of how I view work, government, taxes and so on. 'I have a lot of respect for people who are able to build something from the ground up. There was also no room ever for complaining or making excuses, and this also shaped the way I approach the world.' Watson is grateful for her childhood and upbringing in Melbourne, 'because I think Australians have some really great characteristics'. 'I diverge from some typical Australian beliefs now as an adult, but that's likely because I grew up with a lot of American influence from my mum.' Sydney Watson has expressed respect for Pauline Hanson (pictured left) and Tony Abbott (right) Though she wasn't particularly interested in Australian politicians growing up, there were two that stood out - former prime minister Tony Abbott and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. She said Mr Abbott is 'one of the legitimate ones with his heart in the right place. That's something I know now is lacking most often as far as politicians go... 'There is no politician that I think is infallible ... however, I've always respected Pauline Hanson's tenacity. 'I think she's been misrepresented on more than one occasion, and while people might not like her delivery/actions, I think many of her initiatives are good ones.' Sydney Watson created an online storm and made headlines around the world after she sent photos (pictured) of her 'wedged between two obese people' on a flight to her social media followers Watson believes 'politics is a game of staying in power, rather than trying to achieve anything of notable significance that will enhance or improve the lives of citizens'. 'Any politician who can rise above self-service and actually put the interests of the people first will always be worthy of respect as far as I'm concerned.' She added 'that does not include the lunatics who do things under the guise of the greater good while they make side deals to line their own pockets and advance their own interests'. Though she holds a dim view of most politicians, Watson moved to America because she thought there was greater opportunity there 'to get involved in political commentary, and hopefully, societal change'. 'I realised early on that a lot of Australians are disconnected politically - not that I necessarily blame them, it can be toxic ... 'America is polarised, but at least both sides of the aisle have a decent understanding of what's happening politically and how that might affect them. Americans also have a good understanding of their rights and freedoms. The world is becoming increasingly polarised, said commentator Sydney Watson (pictured) Sydney Watson (pictured) has criticised what she called 'blind faith in the government' 'Australians have different considerations and politics is not one of them. I felt like this put me at odds with some of the values I see in my fellow Aussies.' In Australia, she was disturbed by the view that security is more important than freedom and what she called 'blind faith in the government and its associated entities'. The US, where she is a regular guest on One American News, America Tonight and America First, has provided more outlets for Watson's conservative views than Australia. But, as with Australian politicians, she also does not put US politicians on a pedestal. 'Largely, I think they're in their positions to advance their own interests. America has a huge problem with career politicians and that's probably what's landed the country in so much trouble.' She does have some respect though for Texas governor Greg Abbott and Florida governor, Ron DeSantis. 'As far as doing their jobs and representing their people go, they get more ticks than crosses - although, the bar isn't set very high.' Watson said that as people have access to ever more information, 'we've actually become a lot less clever'. 'We're more plugged in, more connected than ever, but the sad reality is that people are so disconnected from the real world.' Watson says that as people have access to ever more information, 'we've actually become a lot less clever' She does not exonerate herself from being part of the problem of online connection leading to real world disconnection. 'The polarisation - that I have participated in - has gotten worse and worse. I don't view that as a net societal positive. People are inundated with information, but all of it has spin.' Watson's view is that the world is being subjected to unnecessary fear campaigns from all sides of politics. 'Everything politically seems like the end of the world - the fear porn we've all seen over the last few years is a prime example of that. And the problem is, what's true, fair and accurate isn't easily discernible any more.' She said a fixation on what people read and view online has led some to 'believe things that are certifiably untrue that biology doesn't matter, being a female is a 'feeling', that government knows best, that you can be obese and healthy etc. Though Sydney Watson (pictured) is happy for now living in the US, she 'always intended on coming home' to Australia 'The institutions in which we used to put our faith have lost all credibility. I think there's an observable complacency and laziness in a large portion of the population that isn't a good thing ... 'If we are forced to deny basic reality in order to accommodate the feelings of others, then yes, I think we are living through an incredibly dumb period of time.' Though she is happy for now living in the US, she 'always intended on coming home. And I wanted to try to help the country as best I could. 'I believe that most Aussies, when it comes down to it, think like I do about most issues, and I think they should see those values reflected back at them. 'It's either that, or I'll become the country's leader and give them freedom whether they like it or not,' she said with a laugh. A reformed catfisher who stole $30,000 from four vulnerable women has revealed what victims need to watch out for and why he left his life of crime behind. Christopher Maxwell, 34, from Nigeria, spent six years lying to women in order to fleece them out of thousands of dollars. He targeted single women in the United States who were aged in their 50s and 60s, and told them he was a member of the US Army. It wasn't until he conned a woman out of $20,000, causing her family to fall apart and her to spiral into depression, that he suddenly felt the urge to come clean and change his ways. 'I told them I wasn't allowed to do video calls because I was in the army and we weren't allowed to show where we were,' Mr Maxwell told Daily Mail Australia. Mr Maxwell said his descent into the scamming world began when he was studying at university, admitting he struggled coping with the change of leaving home, so much that he couldn't always afford food. Christopher Maxwell, 34, from Nigeria, spent six years lying to women in order to fleece them out of thousands of dollars. He now works for Social Catfish and helps potential victims know when they're going to be scammed 'My first year was kind of rough and by the second year I had saved a stranger's picture from Instagram onto my phone and started texting middle aged women who I met on Tinder,' he said. HOW TO AVOID A CATFISHER Never give money to anyone you meet online Perform a reverse image search to see if their picture matches their name Demand a video chat or an in-person date Watch out for poor grammar Be suspicious when someone confesses their love immediately having never met you Source: Social Catfish Advertisement The women were often divorced and had kids who had grown up and left home, making them vulnerable and easy targets for scammers. 'They just wanted a man to love them for the rest of their life,' Mr Maxwell said. One of his tricks was to tell the women he was about to be deployed overseas and wouldn't have access to his bank account. He would instead ask his victims to send him money into a separate account, with Mr Maxwell saying at first it was a couple of hundred dollars, but ended in him fleecing them out of thousands. Of the four women he scammed, the relationships all eventually came to an end when Mr Maxwell's lies caught up with him. His final victim was in 2021 - an American woman whom he scammed $20,000 out of before she called him out and refused to send him anymore money. 'At some point she became depressed, and her kids stopped talking to her because of me,' he said. 'I started feeling this guilty conscious and I called her on video call and told her I'd been scamming her. 'She cried. I thought she was going to block me because what I did was very wrong but she didn't.' Mr Maxwell said he told her he would promise to pay her back but she refused. He is yet to pay any of his victims back but insists he will once he's made enough money. Australians lost a mammoth $324million to online scammers in 2021 (stock image) 'I regret doing it,' he said. 'I never had feelings for any of the women and I didn't feel remorse until I met my last victim.' He said his family didn't know he'd been scamming women, adding that when his victims asked about his Nigerian accent, Mr Maxwell said he'd moved around a lot when he was a boy as his father had also worked in the military. Mr Maxwell now works for Social Catfish, a company dedicated to preventing online scams through reverse search technology. It comes after Australians lost a mammoth $324million to online scammers in 2021. This was up from the $176million lost the year prior. The highest number of Aussies scammed between 2019 and 2022 were those living in Canberra, followed by those in the Northern Territory, according to a recent study by Social Catfish. Millions of English and Welsh Christians deserted faith in religion entirely in the decade between the 2011 and 2021 censuses. And an interactive map has revealed the number of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Sikhs, Buddhists and people with no religion in your area following last year's survey. There were more than 5.72million fewer Christians (17% fall) in England and Wales in 2021 compared to a decade earlier and over eight million (57% rise) more people not following any religion. The number of Christians fell in every region fell from a total of nearly 33.25million in 2011 to about 27.5million in 2021, the census revealed, as smaller religions such as Satanism also increased in popularity. Graph showing the number of people in English and Welsh regions giving up Christianity from 2011 to 2021 rise in people following no religion Analysis of census data by MailOnline has also shown that, as a percentage, the North East has seen the biggest decline in Christians and the biggest rise in those not following a religion out of all regions in England and Wales. How to use the interactive map: Select an area by either typing a place name in the top-left box or by clicking on the location on the map. Then when you click it will show you what percentage of people in the area follow the country's major religions, including Christianity, or no religion. You can click the drop-down arrow to change the religion. Your browser does not support iframes. Graph showing the change in followers of major religions in England & Wales from 2011 to 2021 In the North East region there were nearly 410,000 (23%) fewer Christians in 2021 than in 2021, falling from more than 1.75million to around 1.3million. And the region saw a more than 450,000 (74%) rise in the number of people with no religion, with the a-religious population growing from 607,700 in 2011 to more than one million in 2021. The North West of England saw the largest total decline in people following Christianity, with nearly 850,000 (18%) fewer people saying they were Christian on the 2021 census compared to the survey a decade earlier - falling from more than 4.7million to nearly 3.9million. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, the most senior bishop in the Church of England London has seen the smallest relative fall in people leaving Christianity. Pictured: St Paul's Cathedral in London And there were over one million (73%) more people in the North West with no religion, with the numbers increasing from nearly 1.4million to over 2.4million. Wales saw nearly 410,000 fewer Christians (a 23% fall) from 2011 to 2021 to around 1.3million and a rise in people with no religion of more than 460,000 (47%) to more than 1.4million. The South East has seen the highest total rise in those with no religion, as nearly 1.35million more people now follow no religion in the region - a rise to over 3.7million. But London has had the smallest relative fall in Christians between 2011 and 2021. There were nearly 4million Christians in the capital in 2011 - and this fell by 380,000 (10%) to nearly 3.6million in 2021. London has also seen the smallest relative rise in people not choosing to be part of a religion, with a rise of nearly 690,000 (40%) since 2011 to nearly 2.4million. Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu told Good Morning Britain that the Duchess of Sussex's decision to stay in California next month is what 'any wife who has bad in-laws' should do. She also insisted that Meghan has refused to go to 'draw a line in the sand' with Harry's family - and control what royal events she attends - not because she might receive a negative reaction from the British people. King Charles, who gave Meghan away on her wedding day, is said to be 'very disappointed' that he won't see the Duchess of Sussex or his grandchildren at his Coronation next month, but is 'happy' that Prince Harry has decided to attend, royal sources have claimed. Sources close to Meghan have insisted her non-attendance is definitely not a 'snub', not least because May 6 is Archie's birthday. But Ms Mos-Shogbamimu, a British-Nigerian lawyer and activist who recently wrote an anti-racism book called: ' This Is Why I Resist', said Meghan's decision to stay at home is inspirational. She said: 'I think Meghan's decision to say no to the most powerful family in Britain and to say no to the most talked about party in town is both admirable and inspiring. What Meghan is doing is exercising the power of no that comes from a place of self-worth, growth, maturity and self preservation'. Officials have warned it's not usually the case for scammed victims An elderly retired couple were scammed of their hard earned savings before their bank saved the day. Anita and Thomas Jacobsen from Toowoomba in Queensland's Darling Downs were researching financial institutions for the best deposit rate in invest their $146,000 savings into. They received a phone call from a man with a British accent claiming to be from a well-known Australian bank offering a four per cent rate for six months. After speaking to the man's colleague a few days later and receiving paperwork with the bank's masthead, Mr Jacobsen transferred their savings to the account provided. A retired couple were too ashamed to tell their family after being scammed of their $146,000 savings (stock image of a retired couple) He was horrified to get a call from the Bank of Queensland's Financial Crimes Team two days later advising he had been scammed. The Jacobsens were so ashamed they put off telling their family for a week, but are telling their story in the hope others don't fall victim to a similar scam. 'I considered myself to be reasonably aware when doing business transactions and I just feel sorry for anyone else who has been caught up in this,' Mr Jacobsen told the Toowoomba Chronicle. 'Our working days are over, we've worked hard for this money, paid tax on it, it's all self-funded and we were told we had no chance of recovering it.' But Bank of Queensland came to their rescue and were able to reclaim the Jacobsens' savings. The bank managed to place the funds on hold when its financial crimes team flagged the transaction as potentially suspicious and worked with the other bank involved to return the money to the very grateful and relieved couple. However, bank officials warned this happy ending is not usually the case for scammed victims. 'In most cases when the money leaves your account it can be very difficult to recover and it's very common for scammers to transfer funds offshore into crypto currency, which makes it virtually impossible to recover those funds,' BOQ customer advocate Ben Griffin said. He said the Jacobsens fell victim to a very professional and polished investment scam and hoped their story would make others more vigilant. Bank of Queensland customer advocate Ben Griffin said the scammed couple were one of the rare lucky ones to get their money back The story prompted BOQ to issue a nationwide warning to customers about the rise in imposter bond investment offers from scammers claiming 'to be selling term deposits of 3.75-6.25 per cent with an investor deadline of 30th January 2023'. 'The imposter reportedly initiates and maintains contact with interested parties, sometimes over an extended period of time,' the bank warned. 'During this time they may provide application instructions, maturity dates, investment thresholds, and other specific details surrounding possible investment options.' Signs to look out for include unrealistically high returns or bonds which seem 'too good to be true' and consistent pressure to invest due to the 'risk of missing out'. Other red flags are professional-looking forms or prospectuses with 'lookalike' email addresses or non-genuine phone numbers, unusual requests for personal information, and being asked to pay funds directly into a bank account. Bank of Queensland has issued a warning customers to be vigilant of similar scams Australian Competition and Consumer Commission advised to never transfer money to an account owned by people you don't know, or give out your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone, unless you got the number from a trusted source 'Never respond to emails or phone calls from someone claiming to be your bank and asking for account details,' the ACCC website states. 'Genuine banks or financial institutions never do this. This is what scammers do to steal your identity and your money.' If you get an email claiming to be from the bank asking for your account details, immediately delete the email without clicking on any links that could activate malicious software designed to steal personal details, and report the email to your bank. If you get a call, ask for their name and number and say you'll call back later and Immediately contact your bank using the official telephone number. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is facing a steep uphill battle to secure a historic fourth term for his government as young voters desert the Coalition. Two months out from the state election, a YouGov poll released on Sunday shows the Coalition two-party preferred vote has collapsed to to just 44 per cent compare 56 per for Labor led by Chris Minns. The Coalition's primary vote sunk from 41.6 per cent at the 2019 election under former leader Gladys Berejiklian to just 33 per cent, while Labor's climbed from 33 to 39 per cent. A new poll shows that young voters are turning to Labor to solve the cost of living crisis in NSW (pictured voting in 2019 federal election) Perhaps the only good news for Mr Perrottet is that voters largely shrugged off his recent admission of wearing a Nazi uniform to his fancy dress 21st birthday party. When asked whether the scandal would influence them voting for or against Mr Perrottet 67 per cent of voters said it would not, with only 14 per cent saying it made it much less likely. Five per cent said it would make them more likely to vote for him, according to the poll published in the Sunday Telegraph. The soaring cost of living was the major thing on voters' minds with 39 per cent saying it was the most important issue determining their vote, and 65 per cent nominating it as one of the top two issues. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet's grip on power is looking very shaky heading into the state election A about 90 per cent of young voters cited the issue as their major concern and were also the group that gave Labor the most decisive edge with 38 to 14 per cent putting their trust in the opposition over the government. It was on this issue where things got particularly ugly for Mr Perrottet with young voters giving Labor a distinctive edge (38 to 14 per cent). Voters overall also trusted Labor more (30 to 25 per cent), which was very bad news for the Coalition who traditionally run on being better economic managers. The poll also showed increasing support for minor parties with the Greens polling at 11 per cent, up from 9.6 per cent in 2019, and 17 per cent to others, up from 15.5 per cent. The cost of living crisis is the issue that dominates the minds of young voters, according to a new poll The polling showed strong support (61 per cent) for the NSW Government's plan to introduce cashless cards to limit the amount people lose on pokies but this was not an issue of high priority in determining votes. If the poll's results were mirrored on election day, Labor would enjoy a more comfortable win than did at the last federal election. 'It is not heading in the right direction for the Coalition, considering we are two months out from the election,' YouGov's Dr Shaun Ratcliff told the Telegraph. Labor leader Chris Minns (pictured front) is well placed to triumph in the coming state election, according to a new poll He pointed out the Coalition had been in power for more than a decade and lost popular leader Ms Berejiklian along with other ministers. 'I think the issue here is we have a government that's more than a decade old now. So it doesn't mean it's impossible for them to win re-election,' he said. 'It never is. But every time you seek re-election it is a little bit harder than the last one.' Winter is to finally make an appearance in parts of the country that have yet to experience their usual seasonal snowfall. Forecasters say a significant system is expected to bring snow in a storm stretching almost two thousand miles from Texas to Maine, with heavy rain and strong winds also likely. Until now, January has been relatively mild compared to normal in many of those areas but things are about to change. According to forecast models, moisture will begin to accumulate over the Rockies and southern Plains on Monday, with the most significant impacts being felt in Texas and Oklahoma on Tuesday. Winter is to finally make an appearance in parts of the country that have yet to experience their usual seasonal snowfall Depending on where the line of wintry weather forms, some regions could see heavy snowfall if temperatures are cold enough. Forecasters say a significant system is expected to bring snow in a storm stretching almost two thousand miles from Texas to Maine, with heavy rain and strong winds also likely A significant dip in the jet stream will allow cold Canadian air to push into areas of New Mexico and Texas, resulting in widespread snowfall. Depending on where the line of wintry weather forms, some regions could see heavy snowfall if temperatures are cold enough. Amarillo, Texas and Oklahoma City are just two cities that are expected to see some snowfall. As the storm system moves northeastwards, snow will fall over parts of the middle Mississippi Valley and upper Ohio Valley by Wednesday. The system is currently moving into the Midwest with snow and a wide expanse of rain and a few thunderstorms across the Southeast Depending on where the line of wintry weather forms, some regions could see heavy snowfall if temperatures are cold enough. The system is currently moving into the Midwest with snow and a wide expanse of rain and a few thunderstorms across the Southeast While most accumulations are expected to be light, but swathe of the country from Missouri through Illinois and into Indiana and Michigan could see more substantial snowfall leading to potential travel disruptions. At the southern end of the storm system, large parts of the Southeast, Tennessee Valley, and I-95 corridor are expected to remain snow-free but will receive plenty of rain. Later in the week by Wednesday or Thursday, the heart of the system is expected to be over the Northeast, where inland regions may see several inches of snow. Major cities will mostly see rain with temperatures remaining too warm for snow to accumulate. Higher elevations including the Catskills in New York and White Mountains in New England could easily see heavy snow measured in feet. New York has been unusually dry this winter, compared to other years where it typically sees up to nine inches of snow - pictured January 5 The last time the city saw snow was March 9, 2022 - meaning the city has been without snow for 313 days As for New York City, a wintry mix is likely to hit the Big Apple which is experiencing a 'snow drought' which has been without measurable snowfall - which is categorized as 0.1 inches or more - for 318 days as of this week. The longest period without snow in the city's history lasted 332 days, ending on December 15, 2020. Meanwhile the second-longest snowless streak was 322 days ending in 1973 and the third was 319, ending in 2002. This year is on track to become the second latest-recorded snowfall in a New York winter, overtaking a record in 1871 when the white stuff did not arrive until January 21. Downtown Buffalo, as seen on December 23, 2022 The storm began in Buffalo as a record-breaking nearly two inches of rain drenched the area But it is likely to fall just shy of beating the absolute record which was in 1973 when no measurable snow occurred until January 29 that year. Last month, a massive storm battered the city of Buffalo in Western New York. The bomb cyclone brought blizzards, freezing temperatures and flooding. The National Guard was deployed to help with rescue efforts after emergency services were overwhelmed and police vehicles and ambulances were left unable to travel in the Arctic conditions. The storm impacted 200 million people claimed the lives of at least 39 people, three of whom were in Erie County. The storm is impacted 200 million people nationwide while leaving millions without electricity on Christmas Day. Crews from the New York State Department Of Transportation in Western NY work to uncover and remove abandoned cars and clear ramps on the Kensington expressway in the city of Buffalo. Pictured, December 27th, 2022 Residents take in the view from atop a gigantic snow pile in front of Central Terminal in Buffalo, New York, on December 29, 2022 A man has been found dying on the side of the road after he was allegedly stabbed less than a kilometre from his home with two teenagers taken into custody. The 41-year-old man was found collapsed on the ground along Newmarket Road at Wilston, in Brisbane, at 1.40am on Sunday. Emergency services were called to the scene and discovered he had suffered critical injuries. Paramedics attempted to treat him at the scene before he died. A 17-year-old boy has been taken into custody after he was allegedly found with a 45cm knife, or a 'small machete', and a 17-year-old girl handed herself into police. The man was found collapsed on the ground along Newmarket Road at Wilston, in Brisbane, at 1.40am on Sunday Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said police believed the 41-year-old man had been stabbed near his house. 'We believe he was stabbed near to where he fell,' he said. 'These scenes are horrific. These cowardly attacks are abhorrent, no place for them in society.' Police set up a crime scene and launched an investigation into the death of the man. The 17-year-old boy who was taken into custody is known to police. Neither the boy or the teenage girl have been charged in relation to the incident. A top Pentagon official 'failed to treat subordinates with dignity and respect', the inspector general concluded - noting how he made sexually suggestive comments, used racist terms, and drank with his staff during work hours. He called one female employee a 'hot blonde,' and told another he 'hoped some studly guy would be rubbing oil on her back at the beach.' Douglas Glenn, a veteran government financial expert, was accused of using sexually suggestive and racially offensive language in a report published on Thursday He used the n-word in a meeting with his staff, and said it was perhaps understandable that people locked their car doors when a black man walked past - an incident Barack Obama recalled in a 2013 speech. Douglas Glenn joined the Department of Defense in 2018 from the Interior Department, and rose in January 2021 to acting comptroller - the defense secretary's principal adviser for budgetary matters. Complaints began as soon as he took up the comptroller role, and sparked the investigation - yet in spite of this, he was hired in November 2021 to be Chief Financial Officer at the Office of Personnel Management. The OPM has not commented on the report's findings, or addressed his future in the role. Glenn is also yet to respond. Glenn joined the Department of Defense in 2018 from the Interior Department, and rose in January 2021 to acting comptroller - the defense secretary's principal adviser for budgetary matters Robert Storch, the inspector general, spent almost two years compiling the report, speaking to 18 witnesses and combing through hundreds of thousands of emails. The report was published on Thursday. In one February 2021 staff meeting, he referenced Obama's 2013 speech, in which he spoke of his experiences of racism and recalled hearing people lock their car doors as he passed. Glenn told staff 'that the people who locked their car doors 'might not have been racist' or had other reasons for locking them,' according to the report. Staff told investigators his remarks 'made them and other subordinates feel appalled, surprised, betrayed, stunned, and very confused, and that it was an inappropriate and insensitive thing to say.' Glenn told Stroch's team he intended to show how 'people can look at things differently' on matters of race. 'Who are the people in the car that are locking their doors?' Glenn told the inspector general's staff, according to the report. 'Maybe they're racists. Maybe they're looking at a black man and assuming there's a high potential for being robbed. 'Or maybe they're just following National Highway Administration guidelines to lock your doors when you drive. It could be either.'' Glenn referenced a 2013 speech by Barack Obama, in which Obama addressed the racism he experienced. Glenn tried to downplay Obama's remarks Glenn in the same meeting asked an Asian American woman how she felt as an 'Asian female' in a department 'that considers China its biggest threat.' He admitted to investigators it was 'awkward', but said he thought he had asked her consent before the meeting. Glenn 'stated that his performance rating for that time period was 'Exceeds Fully Successful,' leading him to believe that nobody complained to his supervisor about his all-hands comments,' the report said. At another staff meeting held several weeks later, focusing on diversity and inclusion, Glenn told an anecdote about mishearing someone, and thinking they had used the n-word. Glenn confirmed using the racial slur, but said the story was intended to 'highlight the different reactions he received and to explain why it is difficult to discuss race.' The report found that one staff member was 'alarmed, appalled, and offended that Mr Glenn thought it was okay to use the n-word.' He also made sexually inappropriate remarks - commenting on one employee's attractiveness in relation to others. Another female employee said Glenn referred to her as a 'hot blonde' at an out-of-office happy hour. Glenn denied making the comments, and said it did not sound like anything he would say. Staff members also told of two occasions when Glenn drank wine and craft beer in his office during work hours and offered them to subordinates. Glenn accepted that he kept alcohol in his office and occasionally drank, mostly after hours, but stopped when he learned that the Defense Department requires written authorization to consume alcohol on the job. Three people who worked previously for Glenn - two women and one black man contacted The Washington Post to defend him. 'I would count him as my best boss in 32 years in government,' said Vickie Jones, who worked for Glenn a decade ago when he served as deputy chief financial officer at the General Services Administration. Glenn denied intentionally creating a hostile work environment. 'Mr Glenn told us that his subordinates might have misinterpreted what he said as sexually suggestive, but his comments were 'not intended that way in any way, shape, or form,' the report found. The report's authors said: 'We stand by our conclusions.' A birthday party on a harbour cruise has ended in disaster after the boat slammed into a buoy, throwing passengers overboard. Dozens of partygoers were thrown off their feet after their charter boat crashed about 2km from shore in Fremantle Harbour on Saturday as temperatures in Perth hit a sweltering 39C. The remaining passengers on board were forced to scramble to the back of the vessel as the boat started taking on water. Water police were called to the scene to rescue overboard passengers and escorted the badly damaged boat safely back to Fremantle Boat Harbour. This party charter boat will need major repairs after it crashed into a channel marker Photos from the scene show significant damage to the front of the charter boat, including the hull which was ripped open. A man believed the skipper of the boat saw the funny side of the ordeal and was seen dropping his pants to moon onlookers and media crews reporting from the scene, Perth Now reported. No major injuries were reported. About 30 passengers were celebrating a 26th birthday on the charter boat at the time. One passenger who recalled the ordeal said they all thought it was a joke at first. 'There was a massive jolt out of nowhere. We were just floating along and the next minute we just stopped and everyone just fell,' Mikayla Brown told Nine News. 'It was pretty hectic'. Western Australia Police have interviewed the boat skipper and launched an investigation in the incident. Police later denied reports of passengers being thown overboard by the impact. 'No reports of injuries, or crashes or persons being thrown overboard,' a spokesman said. 'This is now a matter for Department of Transport and Australian Maritime and Safety Authority. Thirty passengers on board at the time were thrown by the impact but were not hurt It was a busy day for Perth's waterways that ended in tragedy with a late night boat collision. One woman is dead and another is missing after a boat with four people on board collided with a marker near the Mandurah Bridge about 10pm on Saturday, throwing two women overboard. One woman, 54 was recovered from the water but sadly couldn't be revived. Police spent the night searching for the other woman, 52, who remains unaccounted for. A man, 47, believed to have been driving the boat, was rushed to hospital with serious injuries. A second man on board was uninjured. New York Republican George Santos has responded to photos and videos which appear to show him dressed as a drag queen in Brazil, saying that he was just 'young' and having 'fun at a festival.' The response came from Santos on Saturday evening after media descended on him as he touched down in New York from a flight from Washington D.C. The embattled congressman remained steadfast that he had never been a full time drag queen in Brazil but appears to have wavered from his outright denial and association with the snaps and footage which recently resurfaced. It comes after the openly gay New York Rep. blasted media on Twitter on Thursday calling the claims 'categorically false.' NY Rep. George Santos has responded to photos and videos which appear to show him dressed as a drag queen in Brazil, saying that he was just 'young' and having 'fun at a festival' Despite denying it, internet sleuths appear to have discovered that Santos - who is claimed to be pictured here dressed in drag in 2007 - confirmed it himself in a 2011 post on Wikipedia In video footage from the airport, an incensed Santos is seen swiftly attempting to walk away from a media pack who pepper him with questions about the recent scandal. 'Look guys, I wish you guys well I'm going to go in an elevator and I'm going to go to my car and I'm going to go home,' he's heard saying to journalists who continue to fire off questions. 'Were you ever a drag queen in Brazil?' one reporter is heard asking, the congressman still eagerly moving toward the airport exit. 'No, I was not a drag queen in Brazil,' he said shrugging off the suggestion. 'I was young, and I had fun at a festival.' Photos from the airport media scrum show Santos disengaged and looking at his phone as journalists continue to tail him to the elevator. Santos is seen leaning back in apparent relief as he reached the elevator pressing the button to enter several times seemingly trying to remove himself from the situation. The response came from Santos on Saturday evening after media descended on him as he touched down in New York from a flight from Washington D.C In video footage from the airport, an incensed Santos is seen swiftly attempting to walk away from a media pack who pepper him with questions about the recent scandal Photos from the airport media scrum show Santos disengaged and looking at his phone as journalists continue to tail him to the elevator A desperate Santos is seen attempting several times to press the elevator button seemingly to remove himself from the media firing line This week, a 2011 Wikipedia post appears to show the NY Rep. confirming that he had performed as a drag queen. The post also claims he got parts in the Disney TV series Hannah Montana and movie The Invasion 'with Uma Thurman' - who does not star in the film. Video obtained by DailyMail.com purportedly depicts Santos, speaking in Portuguese, listing off the venues at which he did 'presentations' - all of them being prominent drag venues around Rio de Janeiro. Santos, who is under growing pressure to resign, called claims that he 'performed' as a drag queen named Kitara Ravache in Brazil circa 2008 'false,' while also calling accusations that he swindled a disabled veteran out of medical dollars for his sick dog 'insane.' In a post to Twitter on Thursday he wrote: 'The most recent obsession from the media claiming that I am a drag Queen or 'performed' as a drag Queen is categorically false. 'The media continues to make outrageous claims about my life while I am working to deliver results. I will not be distracted nor fazed by this.' The page also alleges that Santos/Devolder had a cameo appearance on the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana (pictured) and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody Santos, who is under growing pressure to resign, said that claims that he 'performed' as a drag queen named Kitara Ravache in Brazil circa 2008 'false' However, it was discovered that Anthony Devolder - an alias known to have been used by George Santos - last edited a post on Wikipedia in 2011 suggesting that he'd performed in drag. George Anthony Devolder Santos is the congressman's full name. The bizarre April 29, 2011 post unearthed by Politico said that his apparently budding career as a drag performer took place while he was a teenager in Brazil. He used the usernames Devmaster88 and GeorgeDevolder22 to make the post, with Wikipedia moderators accusing him of abusing multiple accounts. The post - littered with spelling errors says: 'Anthony Devolder first startted [sic] his 'stage' life at age 17 as an gay night club [sic] DRAG QUEEN and with that won sevral [sic] GAY 'BEAUTY PAGENTS [sic].' The page also alleges that Santos/Devolder had a cameo appearance on the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana - which is misspelt in the entry - and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. The video purportedly shows Santos in a black dress discussing the local Pride Parade It also alleges that he 'taped his very first movie' with 'Uma Turman [sic], Chris Odanald, [sp] Melllisa George, [sic] and Alicia Silver Stone [sic] in the movie 'THE INVASION.' That film, released in 2007, stars Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig. None of the people listed in the Wiki entry appear in 'The Invasion.' As part of his performing career, the Wikipedia edits also allege that he's met Steven Spielberg and that his career took off when he met a producer of the 1996 film 'Independence Day.' Details of Santos' backstory continue to unravel, after he was identified in a 15-year-old photo depicting two drag queens on Brazil's Icarai Beach. A Brazilian drag queen named Eula Rochard told independent journalist Marisa Kabas that she was the other person in the photo and named Santos, now 34, as her friend alongside her. Santos has denounced the claim as 'false' and accused the media of chasing 'outrageous' stories. On Thursday morning, Santos lashed out against claims that he once performed as a drag queen in Brazil This photo emerged on Wednesday, alleging that Santos, now 34, is depicted cross dressing in 2008 He's also rebuffed all calls to step down, and since getting to Capitol Hill, has appeared to align himself with conservative lawmakers - many of whom have made opposition to community drag shows, a cornerstone of their culture war platforms. But in the 2008 photo, the person identified as Santos, is seen dressed in a strapless red top or dress while sporting longer brown hair. While the photo is grainy, some element of makeup is visible. His Democratic critics accused Santos of hypocrisy for aligning himself with people whose ideologies see the drag community as an object of scorn. Two acquaintances of the beleaguered congressman told Reuters in a late Wednesday report that Santos participated in Brazilian drag shows a decade and a half ago. One of those people was Rouchard, who claimed Santos was involved in Rio de Janeiro's cross-dressing scene from around 2005. Embattled Rep. Santos has been under growing pressure to resign as key details of his backstory continue to unravel. He has thus far refused to step down Rouchard reportedly recalled Santos going by 'Anthony' rather than 'George' at the time. She said she was in her late teens when she knew Santos. 'Anthony Devolder' was also the name Santos used when he allegedly scammed a disabled veteran out of charity money to save his dying dog. Santos reacted to that accusation on Twitter Thursday, 'the reports that I would let a dog die is shocking [and] insane.' 'My work in animal advocacy was the labor of love [and] hard work. Over the past 24hr I have received pictures of dogs I helped throughout the years along with supportive messages,' he wrote. 'These distractions won't stop me!' Navy veteran Rich Osthoff, who was homeless at the time, told CNN he was connected to Santos as someone who had experience rescuing animals when his service dog, a pit bull named Sapphire, developed a tumor. Santos purportedly set up a GoFundMe for the dog. But after he raised $3,000 he reportedly became hard to reach and eventually disappeared with the funds. The dog died. House Republican leaders have guaranteed that Santos will have his own Congressional workload, despite mounting concern over his place on Capitol Hill. He'll be serving on two committees in the 118th Congress - the Small Business panel and the Committee on Science, Space and Technology. Meanwhile, Santos is under federal and state investigations as well as a Congressional ethics inquiry amid questions over how he came about his recent personal wealth, including the $700,000 he donated to his 2022 campaign. Jeremy Clarkson was encouraged to make his apology to Prince Harry in a bid to save the reputation of his lager brand. The Mail on Sunday can reveal that a mutual friend of the two persuaded the television star to write to the Duke of Sussex after some pubs refused to stock his beer, Hawkstone, following his comments about Meghan Markle in his newspaper column. After the outrage at him saying he hated the Duchess of Sussex and wanted to see her paraded through the streets naked while people throw excrement at her apparently referencing a public shaming scene from the fantasy TV series Game Of Thrones Clarksons business partner Johnny Hornby, who is also on the board of Prince Harrys charity Sentebale, orchestrated the apology. It is understood that Hornby co-founder of Hawkstone along with Clarkson feared that more pubs would drop the drink, like landlords such as Tom Doggett of the Red Lion pub in Evesham, Worcestershire. He has removed the lager from his establishment because he says he wants to stick to his principles. In the column, Jeremy Clarkson said he hated the Duchess of Sussex and wanted to see her paraded through the streets naked while people throw excrement at her Clarksons business partner Johnny Hornby (right), who is also on the board of Prince Harrys charity Sentebale, orchestrated the apology A source said: Johnny is friends with both Jeremy and Harry so he was kind of in the middle of it all. He suggested that it would be a good idea for Jeremy to apologise. It was, after all, at a time when the beers reputation was being affected. Jeremy decided he would do it and everyone now hopes that they can move on from it. Hawkstone lager is made using ingredients grown at Clarksons Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds. Priced at around 4.20 per pint, it is sold in around 100 pubs across London, Buckinghamshire, Kent and Worcestershire. Speaking of his decision to ban the lager, Mr Doggett said: We have a lot of women who come here on their own and they say they feel safe in the pub And if someone in the pub made comments like Jeremy Clarkson, at the very least I would ask them to be quiet or kick them out. Clarksons deal with Amazon Prime for shows the Grand Tour and Clarksons Farm appears to be over, while ITV bosses are refusing to say whether they will work with him after the contracted series of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? is filmed later this year. Mr Hornby and Mr Clarkson declined to comment. Germany's refusal to send tanks to Ukraine is pathetic and threatens its credibility as an ally, a British former Nato chief warned last night. General Sir Richard Shirreff told The Mail on Sunday that Berlin was ducking its responsibility to help defeat Vladimir Putins army, as he compared the despotic Russian leader to Adolf Hitler. Germanys behaviour is absolutely calling into question its credibility as a Nato ally, he said. His damning comments heaped further pressure on German chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has refused to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Berlin has also blocked other European nations from sending the German-made tanks. General Sir Richard Shirreff told The Mail on Sunday that Berlin was ducking its responsibility to help defeat Vladimir Putin s army Firepower: German Leopard 2 tank at the heart of controversy. Berlin has blocked other European nations from sending the German-made tanks Sir Richard, who was Natos Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said: Germany has a particular responsibility because of its history, to help Ukraine defend itself against a bloodstained autocrat, prepared to inflict unspeakable suffering on a neighbour, because Germany has been here before. I would not draw too many parallels, theres always a danger, but the last time anybody did this sort of behaviour is Hitler. So Germany has a particular responsibility and it is ducking that responsibility, and if it is ducking this responsibility, then how reliable is Germany as a Nato ally, when called upon to implement Article 5, frankly? It is pathetic. Article 5 of the Nato treaty says an armed attack against any member should be considered an attack against all. Critics say the German government does not want to send its tanks because it fears Putin will respond by cutting off supplies of gas and oil. The UK has pledged to send 14 Challenger 2 tanks. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, who attended a memorial service yesterday for officials who died in a helicopter crash in Kyiv this month, appealed for tanks at talks involving Western allies in Germany this weekend. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a memorial service yesterday for officials who died in a helicopter crash in Kyiv this month German chancellor Olaf Scholz has refused to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine A prominent Conservative MP has been accused of falsely pocketing tens of thousands of taxpayer cash, reports say. Metropolitan Police have received a report that a politician - who once held a high-profile role - has committed expenses fraud by improperly claiming housing funds. The Tory figure currently remains unnamed, but last night Scotland Yard confirmed it was conducting an assessment of the information, according to The Sun. A source also reportedly told the newspaper that there were now 'reasonable questions' about 'significant amounts of money' that the MP received. A prominent Conservative MP has been accused of falsely pocketing tens of thousands of taxpayer cash, reports say They said: 'The rules are quite clear. The Met should now step in and fully investigate.' The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) is also aware of the allegations surrounding the MP. The Government watchdog was set up following the expenses scandal unearthed in 2009 which forced forced six ministers from office and sent a number to jail. IPSA suggested that it would not usually comment until the Metropolitan Police had completed its assessment of the complaint. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police told MailOnline: 'On Wednesday, 11 January the Metropolitan Police received a third party report of fraud relating to a male MP. 'The information is currently being assessed. No criminal investigation has commenced.' Republicans have reacted with astonishment and anger to news on Saturday that prosecutors have seized more classified materials from President Joe Biden's home in Wilmington, Delaware. The house was searched for almost 13 hours on Friday, and Biden's lawyers announced the find on Saturday evening. Donald Trump said the 'mess' was a result of their focus on his mishandling of classified information. Both Trump and Biden are now being investigated by special prosecutors for the material - but Biden on Thursday said 'there's no there there' in a bizarre answer when persistently questioned about the discovery. Biden said he had 'no regrets' over his handling of classified material - remarks which seem to be coming back to haunt him. 'They created this Documents mess for themselves by being so totally DERANGED about me, and I did NOTHING WRONG!!!' raged Trump on Saturday. President Joe Biden walks from St. Edmund Roman Catholic Church after attending Mass in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on Saturday. His Wilmington home was searched the day before, and more classified documents found - the fourth set California congressman Darrell Issa mocked Biden's frustrated insistence that he had done nothing wrong. 'I guess there wasn't nothing there there, Mr. President,' he said. Ted Cruz, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, tweeted: 'AGAIN?!? How in the HELL do they keep screwing this up??' The Texas senator added: 'As Biden repeatedly says, 'everyone knows how seriously I take classified documents.' 'Yes. Yes we do.' His fellow Texan, Congressman Pat Fallon, tweeted: 'Another set of classified documents found. All I expect from this Administration is another set of lies.' Mary Miller, a congresswoman for Illinois, said: 'The DOJ quietly raided Biden's Delaware home on Friday and found MORE CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS. 'Will Biden be charged with obstruction of justice for continuing to LIE and hide documents? 'Why did the White House LIE multiple times about there being no additional documents?' The Republican Oversight Committee tweeted: 'Biden's White House claimed all classified documents were turned over. Now the Justice Department found more. 'Is the scavenger hunt over? Americans need answers now.' Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert took a shot at Biden's press secretary, Karin Jean-Pierre. She tweeted: 'Last week, Karinge Jean-Pierre said that the search of Biden's Wilmington home had been completed. Now, we find out that was a complete lie. The White House has lost ANY REMAINING SHRED of credibility on this issue.' And even Elon Musk had something to say, tweeting: 'Where have they *not* found classified documents? That might be a shorter list.' The Department of Justice revealed that federal investigators found another six classified documents in what is now the fourth occasion files have been retrieved from Biden's home and private office. The president and first lady Jill Biden were not at their home when it was searched. The couple are spending the weekend at their other home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The Justice Department stated how it 'took possession of materials it deemed within the scope of its inquiry, including six items consisting of documents with classification markings and surrounding materials. 'Some of [the materials] were from the President's service in the Senate and some of which were from his tenure as Vice President,' Bob Bauer, the president's personal attorney explained in a detailed statement on Saturday night. The prosecutors also 'took for further review personally handwritten notes from the vice-presidential years,' he said. How the scandal of government documents unfolded since classified records were found in Biden's office at the Penn Biden Center on November 2 Bauer said that the president's legal team offered to provide 'prompt access' to Biden's private residence 'to allow DOJ to conduct a search of the entire premises for potential vice-presidential records and potential classified material.' He said that the offer was made 'in the interest of moving the process forward as expeditiously as possible.' 'DOJ requested that the search not be made public in advance, in accordance with its standard procedures, and we agreed to cooperate,' Bauer said in his email. He said that on Friday, the 'DOJ completed a thorough search of all the materials in the President's Wilmington home.' 'It began at approximately 9:45 AM and concluded at around 10:30 PM and covered all working, living and storage spaces in the home,' Bauer said. 'By agreement with DOJ, representatives of both the personal legal team and the White House Counsel's Office were present.' The DOJ had 'full access to the President's home,' which included 'personally handwritten notes, files, papers, binders, memorabilia, to-do lists, schedules, and reminders going back decades.' 'DOJ also took for further review personally handwritten notes from the vice-presidential years,' Bauer wrote in an email. The Department of Justice has revealed how a search of President Joe Biden's home in Wilmington, Delaware, has found another six classified documents These latest documents are in addition to various other classified government records that had already been discovered this month at Biden's Wilmington home. Biden, pictured Friday The extraordinary search was the first time it was revealed publicly that federal law enforcement authorities have conducted a search for government documents at Biden's private addresses. Saturday's find marks the fourth time officials have recovered documents from Biden's time as vice president either at his old Washington, D.C., office or his Wilmington home. Bauer said the FBI requested that the White House not comment on the search before it was conducted. The Justice Department, he added, 'took possession of materials it deemed within the scope of its inquiry, including six items consisting of documents with classification markings and surrounding materials, some of which were from the President's service in the Senate (1973 to 2009,) and some of which were from his tenure as Vice President (from 2009 through 2017).' At least a few documents were found in Biden's garage at his Wilmington, Delaware home. Biden's sons, Beau and Hunter, rebuilt the car for him These latest documents are in addition to various other classified government records that had already been discovered this month at Biden's Wilmington home. Friday's search came more than a week after Biden's attorneys found six other classified documents in the president's home library from his time as vice president, and nearly three months after lawyers found a small number of classified records at his former offices at the Penn Biden Center in Washington. The Penn Biden Center is an office Biden used after ending his tenure as VP in the Obama administration in 2017. It remains to be seen whether additional searches by federal officials of other locations might be conducted. Another set of documents were found on Friday at Biden's Wilmington home. This weekend Biden has opted to take a winter trip to his beach house rather return to the scene where more classified documents were uncovered When a reporter asked if he had any regrets about the sensitive files debacle, Biden said the interrogation by the media 'bugs' him when we 'we have serious problem here we're talking about' Biden's personal attorneys previously conducted a search of the Rehoboth Beach residence and said they did not find any official documents or classified records. Earlier this month, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed former Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert Hur as special counsel to investigate Biden's retention of government records after he was vice president and pinpoint any potential wrongdoing surrounding the Biden documents. The White House has been criticized over how it has handled the disclosure of the discovery of the documents and the search which ensued after the initial small of records was found on November 2 at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington. The Justice Department has searched Biden's home in Delaware and located six documents containing classification markings and also took possession of some of his notes, the president's lawyer said Saturday Earlier this month Biden revealed how lawyers 'discovered a small number of documents with classified markings in storage areas and file cabinets in my home and my - my personal library.' He also referenced the discovery of materials at the Penn Biden Center in Washington That discovery came just six days before the midterm elections yet The White House waited until this month to reveal the discovery. 'Since the beginning, the President has been committed to handling this responsibly because he takes this seriously,' White House lawyer Richard Sauber said Saturday. 'The President's lawyers and White House Counsel's Office will continue to cooperate with DOJ and the Special Counsel to help ensure this process is conducted swiftly and efficiently.' The Biden investigation has also complicated the Justice Department's probe into Trump's retention of classified documents and official records after he left office. The Justice Department says Trump took hundreds of records marked classified with him upon leaving the White House in early 2021 and resisted months of requests to return them to the government, and that it had to obtain a search warrant to retrieve them. A box labeled 'Important Doc's + Photos' appears to have been left unsealed on a table in the Delaware home of President Joe Biden, in a photo released Friday from Hunter Biden's laptop By law, presidents and vice presidents must return government documents to the National Archives and Records Administration when they leave office. The Biden document discoveries and the investigation into Trump, which is in the hands of special counsel Jack Smith, are significantly different. Biden has made a point of cooperating with the DOJ probe at every turn - and Friday's search was voluntary - although questions about his transparency with the public remain. Biden is under severe pressure from the media, Republicans in Congress and a Justice Department probe run by a special counsel. The White House has since been condemned for their lack of transparency and Biden's handling of files is now being investigated by a Special Counsel. The president's suggestion Americans care about other issues was also brought into question by a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday that said 60 percent of Americans think he acted inappropriately. The majority of the 1,380 American voters asked in the survey, acknowledged the scandal is 'serious' and should be investigated, but less than half think it should result in criminal charges. Just 36 percent approved of the job Biden is doing and 53 percent disapprove. Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel slammed Biden's comments about the documents. 'Biden is a hypocrite who can't be trusted,' she told DailyMail.com On Friday Republican Party chief Ronna McDaniel branded President Joe Biden a hypocrite for his handling of classified documents by saying he had 'no regrets' after insisting before that he took the issue seriously. A day earlier, the president shrugged off the importance of a scandal that has seen his White House bombarded with questions about who knew what and when. And he suggested the American people did not understand the media's obsession with it. Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel told DailyMail.com: 'For weeks, Joe Biden and his team insisted he takes classified documents 'seriously.' 'Now, Biden says he has 'no regrets' about multiple classified documents being stored in multiple insecure locations for multiple years where an untold number of people had access to them. 'Biden is a hypocrite who can't be trusted. In his own words, how could 'anyone be that irresponsible?'' The latest discovery of documents comes as White House chief of staff Ron Klain, who has spent more than two years as Biden's top aide, is preparing to leave his job within weeks The latest discovery of documents comes as White House chief of staff Ron Klain, who has spent more than two years as President Joe Biden's top aide, is preparing to leave his job in the coming weeks, according to a person familiar with Klain's plans. Klain's expected departure comes not long after the White House and Democrats had a better-than-expected showing in the November elections, buoyed by a series of major legislative accomplishments, including a bipartisan infrastructure bill and a sweeping climate, health care and tax package that all Republicans rejected. The personnel change is also a rarity for an administration that has had minimal turnover so far. No member of Biden's Cabinet has stepped down, in stark contrast to Donald Trump's White House, with frequent staff turmoil and other crises. The person familiar with Klain's plans was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity to confirm the development, which was first reported by the New York Times. Klain, a longtime Democratic political operative, has overseen a West Wing that has been largely free of the high-stakes drama that permeated the upper echelons of the Trump administration. Klain has been an outspoken proponent of Biden's agenda via Twitter, where he frequently engages with reporters to defend the president's record. While he may not want to emulate their results, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has sparked speculation he will follow in the footsteps of his last three predecessors by running for President of the United States. Adams, just a little over a year into his first term and who has been rumored to be considering a bid for the presidency in the past, has raised over $1.27million for his re-election fund in that time, with half of that money coming from out-of-state donors, according to the NYC Campaign Finance Board. That easily trumps the cash raised by former mayors Bill de Blasio ($7,997) and Rudy Giuliani ($719,760) who also both ran for president, though much later on in their time in office. Adams, if he were to run despite crime continuing to rise in the Big Apple, would be fighting major historical precedent for the position, as no New York City mayor has successfully run for any since John T. Hoffman was elected governor in 1869. While he may not want to emulate their results, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has sparked speculation he will follow in the footsteps of his last three predecessors by running for President of the United States In fact, no Big Apple mayor has ever been elected to any higher office since 1913, when Ardolph Loges Kline was elected to Congress, though he was only mayor for three months after the previous mayor had died at sea. About $632,636 of Adams' campaign coffers are filled from donors outside the state of New York. In the last six months, 87 donors have 'maxed out' or given him the limit of $2,100 in donations. Adams has notably received over $13,000 from GrubHub officials, who are lobbying him to weaken regulations on food delivery and $10,000 from Broadway Stages execs. At very least, the money raised would make it hard for a primary challenger from Adams' left or a Republican to beat him in 2025. In 2021, Adams raised nearly $9 million in private funds and qualified to receive another $10.1million through the citys public matching funds program. Adams, 61, who once referred to himself as the 'Biden of Brooklyn', has 'repeatedly' told confidantes that he is considering running for the highest office and thinks he could 'win,' sources said as earlier as May of last year. Ahead of the 2020 election, Biden himself had reportedly conceded he'd be a single-term president who hoped to reunite the US in the wake of Donald Trump's divisive presidency. Adams, 61, - who once referred to himself as the 'Biden of Brooklyn' - has 'repeatedly' told confidantes that he is considering running for the highest office and thinks he could 'win,' sources said as earlier as May of last year About $632,636 of Adams' campaign coffers are filled from donors outside the state of New York Adams has raised a significant amount more than predecessor Bill de Blasio, who raised just over $7,000 in his first year Adams will hope to break the string of unsuccessful presidential runs by predecessors de Blasio, Mike Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani (pictured) But there is no obvious Democrat candidate to succeed him, with Vice President Kamala Harris's personal approval ratings stubbornly low, and Biden is now said to be touting a 2024 run. While only five months into his first term in office, Adams has pleased many centrist Democrats - and conservatives - by avoiding progressive or extreme stances on economic and social issues. However, Adams' advisor Evan Thies dismissed rumors, saying: 'The mayor has not had any conversations with anyone about running for president. He is 100 percent focused on lowering crime and improving the economy in New York, and bringing this city back.' The mayor does seem to have some backing, though, as CEO of Tusk Strategies Chris Coffey told the New York Post: 'He is one of the best-known black elected officials in the country. The play works if Adams makes progress on crime and the president decides not to run. I think he would be crazy not to consider it.' Even a GOP lawmaker told the Post he thought the Big Apple mayor could have a chance if he solved the crime riddling the City That Never Sleeps. The statistics paint a bleak picture of the city's efforts to address crime that's rocketed since the pandemic - a campaign that has been touted as successful several times over the past year by Mayor Eric Adams The unidentified lawmaker said: 'I said you really have to consider that you are young enough where you will have a life after the mayoralty and if you solve the crime problem there would be a lot of interest in a big city Democrat, African American with progressive values but who mediated the crime problem in a major city.' That said, seven months later, it was revealed that crime in the Big Apple is up in virtually every category, despite recent assertions from Adams. The data shows that rapes, robberies, and assaults are all up from last year, since hitting highs not seen in decades in both 2020 and 2021. Rape - which rocketed in 2020 when streets were empty and unemployment rife due to unrest caused by the coronavirus - rose by 7 percent, with more than 120 occurring this year than last. Robberies, meanwhile, rose a shocking 20 percent, despite recent measures taken by Adams, 62, to increase police presence throughout the city. Assaults and theft throughout the city, meanwhile, show a similarly pronounced rise, with felony assaults up 12 percent - 26,039 incidents this year compared to 22,835 seen last year - and burglaries up an alarming 25 percent. All other crime categories - including grand larceny and motor vehicle theft - showed similar rises except for murders, despite the outset of the pandemic coming now nearly three years ago. Lidia Thorpe has welcomed Daniel Andrews' decision to cancel the Australia Day parade for the third year in a row in Victoria. The state government planned to bin its annual parade along Swanston Street in Melbourne on January 26. The event was previously shelved in 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic and then again in 2022 as the Omicron outbreak lingered. Ms Thorpe praised the move as a sign of 'progress' and the result of hard campaigning by protestors demanding the tradition be scrapped. Lidia Thorpe has welcomed a decision to cancel the Australia Day parade for the third year in a row in Victoria Ms Thorpe praised the move as a sign of 'progress' and the result of hard campaigning by protestors demanding the tradition be scrapped 'Grassroots Blak activists in solidarity with Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance successfully Abolish Aus Day Parade,' she wrote on Twitter on Sunday. 'That is progress and that is the power of mobilising the masses tirelessly year in, year out.' The flag raising ceremony will be observed as usual at Government House while a gun salute will be made at the Shrine of Remembrance on January 26. An event will be hosted at Federation Square to 'reflect, respect, celebrate' in place of the regular Australia Day parade. First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria co-chair Marcus Stewart said it was a positive step in the right direction, but more work needed to be done. 'We need to create a day we can all celebrate, not one that pushes us apart,' he told The Age. 'Change is hard, and change takes time. The parade [was] a slap in the face, and rubbed salt in the wounds, so it's a positive step that it won't be proceeding.' Opposition Leader John Pesutto demanded premier Daniel Andrews explain why the 'family friendly' event would not be going ahead. Revelations emerged on Saturday the state government had plans to bin its annual parade along Swanston Street in Melbourne on January 26 He said the decision to scrap the parade was disappointing and that it not only brought families together, but helped to boost spending in Melbourne. Anthony Albanese has declared that 'it's fine' to give workers - whether in the government or the private sector - a choice of working Australia Day or not. The Labor Government overturned the Morrison Government's short-lived ban on public servants working on January 26 - letting public servants take another day off instead if they don't wish to mark the occasion. Major companies including Woolworths, Telstra, Network Ten and some of the Big Four accounting firms gave employees permission not to work on January 26. The prime minister told KIIS FM's Kyle & Jackie O on Friday morning that giving workers the choice was about flexibility. 'It's up to each of the departments, like it's up to employers in other areas,' he said. 'So some employers are saying if you want to work Australia Day, you can have another day off. 'And I think that's fine to have some flexibility in the system. 'I myself will have a very busy Australia Day. I have a full schedule, and I'm really looking forward to it.' Canada will repatriate British-born Isil member 'Jihadi Jack' from an Islamic State prison camp in north-east Syria. Muslim convert Jack Letts, 28, had held duel UK and Canadian citizenship but declared himself an 'enemy of Britain' after fleeing his Oxfordshire home to fight in Syria. After being captured by Kurdish authorities in 2017, he begged to be allowed back to the UK. The Home Office tore up his British passport in 2019, making him the responsibility of the Canadian government. Canada will repatriate British-born Isil member 'Jihadi Jack' from an Islamic State prison camp in north-east Syria Muslim convert Jack Letts, 28, had held duel UK and Canadian citizenship but declared himself an 'enemy of Britain' after fleeing his Oxfordshire home to fight in Syria Despite being close allies, the decision to strip Letts of his British citizenship sparked fury in Ottawa. A diplomatic source said the Canadian government had 'gone berserk' at the decision to remove Letts's UK citizenship because he had 'very little to do with Canada'. The move has raised fears that scores of ISIS sympathisers could soon return to their home countries. Most famously, Shamima Begum - one of three east London schoolgirls who travelled to Syria to join ISIS - was stripped of her British citizenship after she was found, nine months pregnant, in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019. The Londoner fled the UK in February 2015 and lived under ISIS rule for more than three years where she married a Dutch jihadi. She now lives at the al-Roj camp in northern Syria, run by the Syrian Democratic Forces, which she described as 'worse than a prison' in her desperate bid to be re-accepted into Western life. The BBC sparked fury earlier this month and was accused of 'giving terrorists a platform' after it emerged Ms Begum had landed a 10-part podcast to 'retrace her journey' to Syria. Canada said it would take back 23 of its citizens after the detainees' relatives argued prevention would violate their constitutional rights, The Telegraph reported. The Canadian federal court's decision was based on the conditions of the prison and that they haven't been charged or convicted. The ruling read: 'The conditions of the... men are even more dire than those of the women and children who Canada has just agreed to repatriate. Shamima Begum also lost her UK passport after she was found, nine months pregnant, in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019 Sally Lane and John Letts, who is Canadian, sent 223 to their son while he was in Syria despite learning he had joined IS. They were convicted of funding terrorism. (Pictured: Sally Lane and John Letts) After converting to Islam at 16, Letts travelled to the Middle East in 2014, where he married an Iraqi woman 'There is no evidence any of them have been tried or convicted, let alone tried in a manner recognized or sanctioned by international law.' After converting to Islam at 16, Letts travelled to the Middle East in 2014, where he married an Iraqi woman. He was captured and jailed in 2017 by forces fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) terror group. Letts's parents were found guilty at the Old Bailey in 2019 of funding terrorism. They were sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. Sally Lane and John Letts, who is Canadian, sent 223 to their son while he was in Syria despite learning he had joined IS. A serving police officer who probes misconduct in the Met is himself being investigated over claims he sexually assaulted a female colleague. The police constable was arrested last June and later released pending further inquiries. It is understood the woman had previously complained about his alleged inappropriate behaviour. The man, who was on duty at the time of the alleged attack, works as a professional standards officer for the Mets South Area Command. His case came to light as it was revealed scandal-hit Scotland Yard is urgently investigating more than 1,000 officers and staff following the exposure of David Carrick, one of Britains worst rapists. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley admitted his force let women and girls down by failing to spot signs that Carrick, a 48-year-old constable, was a dangerous predator. A serving police officer who probes misconduct in the Met is himself being investigated over claims he sexually assaulted a female colleague. The police constable was arrested last June and later released pending further inquiries. It is understood the woman had previously complained about his alleged inappropriate behaviour His case came to light as it was revealed scandal-hit Scotland Yard is urgently investigating more than 1,000 officers and staff following the exposure of David Carrick, one of Britains worst rapists. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley admitted his force let women and girls down by failing to spot signs that Carrick, a 48-year-old constable, was a dangerous predator Carrick had been reported for crimes nine times since 2000. But he kept his job as an armed officer in Scotland Yards parliamentary and diplomatic protection unit. He abused that elite position to coerce terrified victims in a depraved campaign of sexual abuse. Carrick admitted 49 charges, including 24 counts of rape, stretching from 2003 to 2020. The Met, which has been called an institution in crisis by womens groups, said it was reviewing 1,633 cases involving 1,071 of its officers and staff who have faced complaints of domestic abuse or sexual offending in the past decade. A spokesman said the professional standards officer was arrested on June 2 following an allegation of sexual assault while he was on duty... The officer has been suspended. The cases relating to other Met officers that are being reviewed include those that resulted in no action or no criminal allegations. Sir Mark, who replaced Dame Cressida Dick last September, said he would write to Home Secretary Suella Braverman and London Mayor Sadiq Khan in March with the reviews findings. In a further blow, the Met was yesterday accused of suppressing a serious sexual assault claim involving another serving officer, despite Sir Marks pledge to root out misogyny in the ranks. A former police employee claimed the Met tried to gaslight and bully her after she came forward with allegations that a detective constable forced himself on her at work in March 2019. Misconduct proceedings against the officer collapsed just 11 days before the hearing, when the woman claims she was told the forces disciplinary unit had just lost a sexual offence hearing and didnt want to lose another one. Former senior met officer LORD BRIAN PADDICK says he saw 'again and again how top brass would defend violent, racist police' during his 30-year career During my 30-year police career, I tried to put justice and the rights of victims ahead of preserving the Mets reputation. When dangerous serving officers accused of racism and violence were hauled before me, I dismissed them. But that was rarely the end of the matter. Astonishingly, top brass would sometimes reinstate them, ignoring multiple red flags about their behaviour. A disgrace to their uniform, a danger to the public, they were allowed to continue serving. This all took place about 20 years ago around the same time David Carrick joined the Met. Last week, he was unmasked as a violent sexual predator, admitting 49 charges of rape and sexual abuse against 12 women. He used his warrant card and his work guarding Parliament, embassies and government buildings to impress those he preyed on. It makes me think that little has changed. This case has prompted me to recall the many other examples of how the Met has failed to weed out criminals in its ranks. During my 30-year police career, I tried to put justice and the rights of victims ahead of preserving the Mets reputation. When dangerous serving officers accused of racism and violence were hauled before me, I dismissed them By far the bleakest I was involved in concerned an officer called Mark Tuffey. In 1995, he arrested Brian Douglas, 33, a black man from South London, over a traffic offence, and beat him with a baton. Five days later, Mr Douglas died of a fractured skull and brain damage By far the bleakest I was involved in concerned an officer called Mark Tuffey. In 1995, he arrested Brian Douglas, 33, a black man from South London, over a traffic offence, and beat him with a baton. Five days later, Mr Douglas died of a fractured skull and brain damage. Tuffey told an inquest he hit Mr Douglass shoulder and the baton accidentally slipped. But medical evidence suggested the force of the blow was equivalent to Mr Douglas being dropped from 11 times his own height. THE inquest jury returned a verdict of misadventure and Tuffey remained in the force. A few years later, when I was a chief superintendent, I was told to take him in my borough as he was being returned to uniformed duty after an allegation was made by a woman he met at a dance. The allegation was not pursued. Shortly after, it was reported to me that Tuffey had hit a suspect in the face while the suspect was restrained on the ground by two officers. His inspector asked me to write off a complaint made by a witness because Tuffey had been spoken to. I refused and visited the complainant, urging him to support a formal investigation. He didnt because he had the clear impression the police werent interested. It was only in 2006 that Tuffeys career ended after he lost an appeal against a conviction for shouting racially aggravated abuse at a suspect. He resigned. How many red flags did the Met need? How many second chances was he given? Police officers just shouldnt attack suspects who are already being safely held. But it shows how this idea that the rank and file protect their own is not always the case. In my experience, top brass thwarted attempts by the shop floor to remove officers This was not an isolated example. I presided over many misconduct hearings. Now, most are overseen by independent, legally qualified chairs. But then, even when police chiefs held the power to fire corrupt officers, they seemed intent on finding excuses to avoid doing so. One case I remember involved the high-speed chase of a stolen car. The driver had jumped out and sprinted into an office full of people. Two officers gave chase and caught him, grabbing an arm each. When the officer who had begun the chase caught up with them, he punched the offender in the face. The panel I chaired agreed such gratuitous violence had no place in the service. His two colleagues gave evidence against him, and he was dismissed. But this was reversed after he appealed to a senior-ranking officer, who agreed hed received bad legal advice recommending he should deny the offence, even though an office full of people saw it. The superior concluded he should have admitted the punch and offered mitigating circumstances. Police officers just shouldnt attack suspects who are already being safely held. But it shows how this idea that the rank and file protect their own is not always the case. In my experience, top brass thwarted attempts by the shop floor to remove officers. A similar case which came before me involved a white traffic officer who launched into a prolonged, vile, racist tirade against a black driver. The driver had undoubtedly taken liberties speeding past a marked traffic car and deserved the verbal warning that was delivered. Today, the Met is reviewing hundreds of allegations of sexual assault and violence against officers and staff over a decade. This is only worthwhile, of course, if police chiefs are given the power and find the courage unlike their predecessors to sack those found to be corrupt. Otherwise, the Met risks losing the publics trust, the very cornerstone of policing in Britain But he did not deserve the names he was called. The outburst was so appalling that the officers partner, who had worked alongside him for ten years, reported it. The panel agreed he should be dismissed. He, too, appealed to a more senior officer and got his job back on the grounds he had not done a two-day race-relations course. To me, that was a technicality. You dont need a course to tell you not to be a racist. One of the saddest cases involved a superintendent and a female probationer at a work Christmas party in a pub. She said he followed her into the ladies, pushed open the cubicle door and raped her. She initially kept it secret, fearing it would end her police career. Later, when she confided in officers at a residential course, she was placed in the care of Operation Sapphire, the specialist rape investigation unit. But the department that monitored professional standards cast doubt on her story, saying it couldnt have happened the way she said. An Operation Sapphire officer came to see me, clearly upset, to say that even though the woman was willing to give evidence at a misconduct hearing, the superintendent had been allowed to retire on a full pension with no sanction. Today, the Met is reviewing hundreds of allegations of sexual assault and violence against officers and staff over a decade. This is only worthwhile, of course, if police chiefs are given the power and find the courage unlike their predecessors to sack those found to be corrupt. Otherwise, the Met risks losing the publics trust, the very cornerstone of policing in Britain. A United Nations fact-finding mission into British racism could spark a row as it sets out preliminary findings this week. The UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent is visiting the UK and meeting fast-rising Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch as part of a trip to collect any evidence of racism, xenophobia and Afrophobia. The group, which condemned Tony Sewells report that found no evidence of institutional racism in Britain in 2021, will hold a press conference this week. Ms Badenoch was born in London and spent parts of her childhood in Nigeria. The UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent is visiting the UK and meeting Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch She has risen to Cabinet aged 43 and is a leading anti-woke Tory voice tipped to be a future Prime Minister. The experts will study the most significant human rights violations that people of African descent in the UK experience and racial bias and discrimination in the criminal justice system and law enforcement, including racial profiling and combating terrorism. Last night, a senior Government source pointed out the UN group called on the Government to reject the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report. It had accused the report authors of normalising white supremacy. The Government source said: It would be great if this UN working group noted the great strides the UK has made in addressing racial and ethnic disparities, most recently with the ground-breaking Inclusive Britain strategy. However the previous record of this working group with other countries doesnt leave us with much hope. The Vatican has launched an extraordinary probe into an alleged lockdown sex party at a cathedral in northern England. The Roman Catholic church is said to be examining the alleged incident as part of their inquiry into Robert Byrne's resignation as the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle in December. The Archbishop of Liverpool, who is leading the investigation, has been asked to prepare 'an in-depth report into the events leading up to Bishop Byrne's resignation', The Sunday Times reported. There is no suggestion that Bishop Byrne was at the alleged party or was aware of it. The Roman Catholic church is investigating Robert Byrne's (pictured) resignation as the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle in December During lockdown, Father Michael McCoy (above), who was the dean at the time, allegedly asked several worshippers if they would like to attend a 'sex party' During lockdown, Father Michael McCoy, who was the dean at the time, allegedly asked several worshippers if they would like to attend a 'sex party' inside a property adjoining St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle. 'A number of complaints were made by individuals within the diocese after information came to light about a sex party taking place in the priests' living quarters attached to Newcastle cathedral,' a source told the newspaper. Another added: 'The cathedral had become a laughing stock.' A Hexham and Newcastle diocese spokesman said: 'The review is now under way. Prior to Bishop Byrne's resignation in mid-December, trustees were working with the Charity Commission, following their self-referral to that organisation.' McCoy, 57, was found dead at his apartment in Newcastle in April 2021. He took his own life days after learning police were investigating him over a 'historic allegation'. Mr McCoy was visited by officers on April 6 and told that a historic allegation had been made against him, and that he would be invited for a voluntary interview at some stage. Pictured: The Cathedral Church of St Mary's in Newcastle upon Tyne Canon McCoy, 57, was found dead at his apartment in Newcastle in April 2021 Detective Sergeant Julie Beattie, of Northumbria Police's child and adult protection department, said Mr McCoy was 'upset' but said he would seek his own support from friends and colleagues, and no concerns were raised about his wellbeing. Mr McCoy voluntarily withdrew from his ministry in the cathedral and moved into an Airbnb. On April 10 a man attended Mr McCoy's apartment 'as part of the provision of support for him' and became concerned when he did not get an answer. The concierge service helped him gain access to the apartment, where Mr McCoy was found dead. Mr McCoy had not left a note, and his mobile phone and tablet had been factory reset, and nothing could be retrieved from them. A professional standards investigation by Northumbria Police after Mr McCoy's death 'found no concerns and no missed opportunities to safeguard him further'. An investigation by the diocese also concluded there was nothing 'that could or should have been done differently' to prevent Mr McCoy's death, and there were no concerns at the time that he was a risk to himself. A desperate search is underway for a missing woman after a boat crash south of Perth which has left one dead and another in hospital with serious injuries. Police were called to an area near Pinjarra Road and Soldiers Cove Terrace in Mandurah just after 10pm on Saturday after a boat carrying four people hit a red post marker in the estuary. The force of the collision near the Mandurah Bridge sent two women, aged 54 and 52, overboard. Police recovered the 54-year-old from the water but she was unable to be revived at the scene, with authorities still searching to find the 52-year-old. The boat's 47-year-old male driver was taken to Royal Perth Hospital in a serious condition while another man, 54, was uninjured. On Saturday night, Duty Inspector Vic Hussey said a significant amount of police resources were being thrown into the search effort. A search operation is underway (pictured) for a missing person after a fatal boat crash in Mandurah, south of Perth 'We are currently searching the water potentially for at least one person that may be missing from a vessel that was involved in a collision,' he said. 'Regrettably there is one person that is deceased as a result of this collision.' Locals have reported hearing helicopters circling the area on Saturday night and on Sunday morning as the rescue effort remains underway. Detectives are investigating the cause of the crash and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Mandurah is a large regional coastal city about 70km from the centre of Perth that is home to more than 90,000 people. The tragedy comes hours after revellers had to be rescued from a boat in Freemantle after it crashed into a navigation marker just before 4.30pm on Saturday. The impact caused some members of the group, who were onboard to celebrate a 26th birthday, to fall over and the boat began taking on water. Guests were given life jackets and the damaged boat was navigated back to the boat harbour. No injuries were reported. Tens of thousands of motorists could be at risk of identity theft and online fraud after one of Britains biggest car dealers was hit by a major cyber attack. Arnold Clark customers have had information including addresses, passports and national insurance numbers leaked on the dark web by criminal gang Play. The hackers have already posted one 15-gigabyte data dump and threaten to upload 467 gigabytes more unless Arnold Clark pays a multi-million pound ransom in cryptocurrency. The Mail on Sunday has seen some of the data, which includes copies of bank statements and car registration numbers. Arnold Clark customers could be at risk of identity theft and online fraud after one of Britains biggest car dealers was hit by a major cyber attack Play came to prominence last year after a series of government websites in Latin America was hacked. Arnold Clark says customers affected will be alerted once it has a full picture of the data stolen. Companies caught up in data breaches can be hit with large fines by the Information Commissioners Office. It fined British Airways was a record 20m after the personal data of more than 400,000 customers and staff was stolen in 2020. Marriott International hotels was also fined 18.4m the same year after hackers stole millions of guest records. A spokesperson for the Information Commissioners Office said: Arnold Clark made us aware of an incident and we are making enquiries. A Pennsylvania woman will serve two life sentences after pleading guilty to charges relating to the deliberate starvation and death of her girlfriend's daughters who were found buried in the yard in 2021. Echo Butler, 27, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiring to commit first degree murder of her girlfriend's two young daughters, Nicole, 6 and Jasmine, 4, in Lycoming County Court Friday evening. Butler will serve the sentences without the possibility of parole joining Marie Snyder, 33, the girls' biological mother, who also entered a guilty plea for two charges of conspiracy to commit criminal homicide, theft by deception, and food stamp fraud on Oct 31. Both women are said to have subjected the young girls to intense physical and verbal abuse, restraint and starvation during their short lives, according to a preliminary hearing into the case on March 16. Marie Snyder, 32 (left), and her partner, Echo Butler, 26 (right), both pleaded guilty to charges connected to the deliberate starvation and death of Nicole, 6 and Jasmine, 4 Echo Butler, 27, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiring to commit first degree murder of her girlfriend Snyder's two young daughters on Friday evening Butler appeared in orange prison garb with her attorney Robert Hoffa before county Judge Nancy L. Butts acknowledging her role in the murder plot. 'What you took from us can't be put into words,' said Giselle Blank, the girls' great-great-aunt to the Sun Gazette. Comparing a sentence of life in prison as mild to what 'you made my nieces suffer,' Blank broke down in tears during the Friday court appearance. District Attorney Ryan Gardner had sought the death penalty for Butler had she decided to take her case to trial and be convicted. In the packed courtroom, Judge Butts laid out the facts of the case based on the evidence collected and asked Butler if, between Jan 1, 2015, and Nov 6, 2021, she had intentionally conspired with Snyder to kill the girls. Intentional murder is described as willful, deliberate and premeditated. Both women are said to have subjected the young girls to intense physical and verbal abuse, restraint and starvation during their short lives, according to a preliminary hearing into the case on March 16 Butler will serve the sentences without the possibility of parole joining Snyder who also entered a guilty plea for two charges of conspiracy to commit criminal homicide, theft by deception, and food stamp fraud on Oct 31 'Did you feed them?' Butts asked Butler. 'I guess not,' Butler responded in a low voice. Judge Butts asked if the girls were disciplined and read a prior piece of information alleging that they had been thrown on the wall, Hoffa disputed that fact. The Judge then clarified her statement asking whether the girls had been disciplined by being required to stand in a corner with their hands tied behind their back watching while others ate - Butler acknowledged that this had occurred. The court heard that the girls became noticeably gaunt and pale and lost hair as part of a purposeful kind of torture and intentional act of starvation which investigators determined led to their deaths. Gardner said once law enforcement became aware of this, it was quick to react praising the combined efforts of the former Old Lycoming Township Police Department, state police, FBI and county detectives. The former department has since become Lycoming Regional Police. 'Two precious souls were never provided a chance at life,' Gardner said, holding up an image in a framed picture of the girls, which he said was 'frozen in time.' Police found the girls' bodies buried in 2-foot-deep graves in the backyard of Snyder and Butler's home Snyder and Butler lived in this trailer home on Livermore Road with Butler's parents 'Their ages will remain indefinitely 6 and 4,' Gardner said noting that these were the ages they died. 'Justice is served on their behalf,' he said. 'The kindest act you've offered to them is to accept responsibility,' Judge Butts said, looking directly at Butler. It's been over a year since Nicole and her sister Jasmine's remains were discovered by authorities - their family continuing to grieve the immeasurable loss. In November 2021, the bodies six and four-year-old were found buried in the yard of the Hepburn Township home Butler had been sharing with Snyder. Butler's mother, Michele Butler, is also charged with third-degree murder in connection to this case Gardner, the Lycoming County District Attorney told PA that the case was the most horrific he'd ever experienced. 'In all the years that I've been a practicing attorney, this is the most horrific case I've ever experienced,' Gardner said. 'Two children subject to repeated intentional starvation and torture that results in their deaths is a tragedy of epic proportions. 'It's tragic for the surviving family members and it's tragic for the community in general.' Butler's mother, Michele Butler, is also charged with third-degree murder in connection to this case. Her father, Ronald Butler, faces child endangerment and obstruction charges. In October, Snyder also pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Snyder told the judge that she went along with Butler in a plot to starve her two young daughters to death, but while collecting food stamps and cash assistance as if they were alive. Snyder's sentencing has not taken place. The food stamps and cash assistance were not connected to Butler, according to the county public defense team. Investigators believe based on their work that Nicole Snyder died and was buried in 2016, while her sister died and was buried in 2017. Investigators believe based on their work that Nicole Snyder died and was buried in 2016, while her sister died and was buried in 2017 Joshua Snyder, Jasmine and Nicole's father, said he had not seen them since 2015 Judge Butts previously denied a motion to dismiss charges of endangering the welfare of children and obstruction of justice against Echo's father, Ronald Butler, of Hepburn Township, who told a friend he knew the girls were in danger and tried to sneak food to them, according to prior testimony. Michele L. Butler, Echo's mother, was in prison for more than a year on charges that include third-degree homicide. She was approved for specialized release on bail and planned to cooperate and plead guilty. Meanwhile, the fraudulent acceptance of the cash assistance will run concurrently with the first life sentence, Judge Butts said. The girls were last seen by their father, Joshua Snyder, in 2015, and the last time they had contact with medical, court or other personnel was that year. Remaining counts against Butler were dismissed as were the aggravating circumstances, according to Gardner. 'One step is over,' a family member told members of the media afterward. 'One down, three to go.' Protesters demand his release want new President Dina Boluarte to stand down President Pedro Castillo was imprisoned for trying to dissolve Congress Widespread riots across Peru have caused world-famous attractions to close Tourist entry to the Inca Trail and the iconic Machu Picchu citadel has been suspended indefinitely as violent political protests sweep Peru. The government has closed access to the famous sites, saying the decision has been made to protect locals and visitors. More than 300 foreigners are still stranded in the area according to Luis Helguero, Perus Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism because rail services are no longer running. They are now set to be evacuated by foot but the trek is at least six hours long, he added. Tourist entry to the Inca Trail and the iconic Machu Picchu citadel (pictured) has been suspended indefinitely as violent political protests sweep Peru Soldiers clash with anti-government protesters outside the Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon airport in Arequipa, Peru Demonstrators gather as they protest to demand the resignation of Peru's President Dina Boluarte Demonstrators wave Peruvian flags amid anti-government protests after Peru's former President Pedro Castillo was ousted, in Lima More than 300 foreigners are still stranded in the area according to Luis Helguero, Perus Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism People gather to protest against general elections, the removal of President Boluarte and justice for the protesters who died during clashes with the police Tourists who have a ticket are expected to be able to claim a refund or use them for one month after the end of the demonstrations. Around 55 people have been killed in months of violence after President Pedro Castillo was impeached and imprisoned for trying to dissolve Congress. He has denied allegations of rebellion and conspiracy and maintains he is still president of the South American country. Protesters are demanding his release, fresh elections, and calling for new President Dina Boluarte to stand down, which she has so far refused to do. At first the protests were mainly in Perus southern regions, including an incident which damaged the railway around Machu Picchu. But the focal point of the anger is now moving to the capital Lima, home to 34 million people and where Ms Boluarte was sworn into office last month. In Arequipa, Perus second city, officers clashed with protesters who tried to storm the airport. Also in southern Peru, multinational firm Glencore decided to temporary shut down its Antapaccay copper mine after protesters attacked the site. A woman fatally shot her terminally ill husband inside a Florida hospital on Saturday and then barricaded herself in his room for four hours before surrendering in an ultimately failed murder-suicide. Ellen Gilland, 76, told officers that her 77-year-old husband Jerry Gilland had been ill for some time and they had planned the shooting together, police spokeswoman Carrie McCallister said. After shooting her husband at about 11:30 a.m., she refused to come out until about 3:30 p.m. after negotiating with police, McCallister said. Afterward, it was revealed Gilland had planned to turn the gun on herself in a murder-suicide but 'she couldn't go through with it,' said Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari E. Young. Ellen Gilland (pictured), 76, told officers that her 77-year-old husband Jerry Gilland had been ill for some time and they had planned the shooting together, police spokeswoman Carrie McCallister said 'Apparently because he was terminally ill, they had a conversation about it and they actually planned this approximately three weeks ago that if he continued to take a turn for the worst that he wanted her to end this,' Young said. 'Obviously, we're unsure how she brought that gun into the hospital, but this was planned.' McCallister said no charges were immediately announced, but she was taken to a local jail Saturday afternoon, as Young acknowledged Ellen Gilland could face a first-degree murder charge. Young said the plan was that Jerry Gilland was originally going to shoot himself but did not have the strength. 'It's a tragic circumstance because it just shows that none of us are immune from the trials and tribulations of life,' Young added. Ellen Gilland did not harm herself and no one else was wounded. 'Even after the initial shooting, she never tried to get up and leave, so everything was confined to the room,' Young said. 'At no time were any of the hospital staff threatened, or any other patients.' Part of the hospital was evacuated and some doctors, nurses and others took cover in locked closets and rooms. Cops wait outside after a woman fatally shot her terminally ill husband inside a Florida hospital on Saturday and then barricaded herself in his room for four hours before surrendering in an ultimately failed murder-suicide Afterward, it was revealed Gilland had planned to turn the gun on herself in a murder-suicide but 'she couldn't go through with it,' said Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari E. Young (pictured) A police spokesman said no charges were immediately announced, but she was taken to a local jail Saturday afternoon, as Young acknowledged Ellen Gilland could face a first-degree murder charge Young said the plan was that Jerry Gilland was originally going to shoot himself but did not have the strength It was a 'logistical nightmare' to evacuate the patients on the floor, all of whom are on ventilators. Police were ultimately able to secure Gilland by distracting her with a flash-bang device and a bean bag gun, according to the New York Times. 'She's very sad,' Young said. 'This is obviously a... it's a tough situation,' noting that Gilland had become depressed because her husband was terminally ill. AdventHealth officials did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Police said the hospital has resumed normal operations. Australia is famed for its stunning beaches, unique wildlife, and scorching summers - quintessentially enjoyed by lazing along the coastline or sinking beverages in the shade of a backyard. But one woman has wowed the internet with her novel way of making use of the nation's harsh rays: frying an egg. A TikTok video shows a woman lathering a frying pan with butter and placing it on the hot cement bricks in her backyard on a 40C day. She then cracked an egg into the pan and let it sit under the sun until moments later it was completely cooked. Once it wad fried, she headed back inside to finish making her lunch - an egg and barbeque sandwich. The hack was widely praised, with many saying it was a good way to save electricity. 'Only in Australia,' one person said. 'Just letting you all know, there aren't any stoves in Australia, you gotta [sic] do this,' another added. Someone else joked: 'I love cooking eggs on my car bonnet as well'. However, others could not look past a piece of shell accidentally falling into the pan while she was cooking. 'Is no one talking about how she got a piece of shell in the egg?' a fourth commented. After leave the egg out to simmer in the sun, the woman came back to find it completely fried Another said: 'The eggshell... Bro get the eggshell out... THE EGGSHELL.' Australia falls far short from the hottest countries on the world (Mali tops the list with a yearly average of 28C), but its summer sun is up to 10 per cent hotter than some countries in the Northern Hemisphere. This is because, due to the earth's elliptical orbit, the Southern Hemisphere comes closer to the sun in summer than those on the other side of the equator during the same season. However, while Australia's annual average temperatures are moderate, the nation has one of the highest UV radiation levels across globe due to its proximity to the hole in the ozone layer over the Antarctic. Northern Irish police have launched a search for women and children in Australia who may have been affected by institutional abuse between 1922 and 1990. The Police Service of Northern Ireland launched an investigation in 2021 into allegations of abuse within Mother and Baby Institutions, Work Houses, and Magdalene Laundries in Northern Ireland. Two years on, Australian Federal Police announced on Sunday it will assisting the investigation in an effort to find victims and witnesses who may now live in Australia. The Police Service has appealed for mothers who gave birth in, or anyone who was adopted from institutions in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1990 to come forward. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has widen its search for women and children affected by institutional abuse between 1922 and 1990 to Australia (stock image of a mother holding her baby) These institutions housed pregnant women and girls from 1922 to 1990 in Northern Ireland, and many of the new mothers often left feeling coerced into giving up their child. Thousands of people are said to have lived in, worked in, or visited these institutions during its 68 years of operation. There have since been 88 reports made to police, with people alleging there are inconsistencies in birth records for those who were adopted from Northern Irish institutions and now live overseas. Detective Superintendent Gary Reid said investigators believe there could be more victims and witnesses out there, many of whom could have moved or been adopted to countries like Australia. 'As the investigation continues into the Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, and Work Houses in Northern Ireland, we are becoming increasingly aware that the people impacted by these institutions do not just reside in Northern Ireland but could now reside all over the world as far as Australia,' he said. 'We don't want anyone to feel they have to suffer in silence anymore and we will continue to do all we can to reach as many people with this message as possible. 'We would like to reinforce that this investigation is very much ongoing in Northern Ireland.' Many new mothers who gave borth at Mother and Baby Institutions, Work Houses, and Magdalene Laundries in Northern Ireland were forced to give up their children (stock image) Detective Superintendent Reid urged anyone with relevant information to contact police. 'If you believe you were the victim of abuse or other forms of criminality in any of these Northern Irish institutions, or know somebody who was, or if you witnessed anything suspicious, please contact us, we want to hear from you. 'We care about what you have to say, will listen and support you, and will act to keep you and others safe.' Those wishing to contact the investigation are encouraged to email MotherBabyHomes.Magdalenelaundries@psni.police.uk Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has compared a New York neighbourhood in Queens to China during the inauguration ceremony of a fellow democratic socialist. AOC was filmed singing the praises of newly elected state Senator Kristen Gonzalez who defeated Elizabeth Crowley during last year's State Senate race. Standing in front of a small event held in Astoria on Thursday, part of AOC's speech was posted to Twitter in which the Democrat made the statement. She is heard calling Astoria, a predominantly liberal leaning neighborhood according to voting results, as the 'People's Republic of Astoria' in the speech and refers to a plot line from 'The Avengers' Marvel series. Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has compared a New York neighbourhood in Queens to China during the inauguration ceremony of a fellow democratic socialist 'Kristen now stands with us as the youngest woman ever elected to the New York state,' AOC is heard saying in the 36 second video posted to New York City's Democratic Socialists of America Twitter. 'Kristen is like the last infinity stone to the People's Republic of Astoria. With her election we now have DSA members at every level of office.' The Infinity Stones are fictional items in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and play a significant role in the first three phases, also called the 'Infinity Saga,' of the MCU. Brooklyn Councilman Ari Kagan, who grew up in Belarus under Soviet Union rule, slammed AOC and her socialist allies, telling the New York Post it appears they 'adore failed communist ideas that so many people ran away from.' 'Her statement is an insult not just to Chinese Americans who left the communist People's Republic for a chance to live in a free Democratic society, but to all Americans,' he said. 'The last thing we need here is to recreate the system where government stifles the market economy, exchange of ideas, free press and independent courts.' The quip came during the swearing in ceremony for Gonzalez who won big over Crowley in the 59th District Democratic primary, representing parts of Greenpoint, Williamsburg, and Long Island City Brooklyn Councilman Ari Kagan, who grew up in Belarus under Soviet Union rule, slammed AOC and her socialist allies Others posting on the tweet from NYC DSA warned of the impending doom should socialism take hold of the neighborhood. 'RIP Astoria, Queens,' tweeted David Grezelcki in response to a post cheering the comments by the New York City Democratic Socialists of America. The quip came during the swearing in ceremony for Gonzalez who won big over Crowley in the 59th District Democratic primary, representing parts of Greenpoint, Williamsburg, and Long Island City. Gonzalez was officially sworn in as a senator on Jan 4 in which she said: 'It means a lot that as of today, the youngest woman to ever be elected to the NYS Senate is a Latina and a Democratic Socialist.' AOC and Gonzalez both hold values of Democratic socialism, which according to the DSA website, refers to someone who wants to create 'a system where ordinary people have a real voice in our workplaces, neighborhoods, and society.' 'Capitalism is a system designed by the owning class to exploit the rest of us for their own profit,' the website reads. In early November last year, AOC comfortably won re-election in her New York seat As of 9.30 pm on Nov 8 and with 60,000 votes counted in the state's 14th District, AOC had 73.8 percent of the vote and her Republican challenger Tina Forte had just 24.3 percent 'We must replace it with democratic socialism, a system where ordinary people have a real voice in our workplaces, neighborhoods, and society. 'There are many avenues that feed into the democratic road to socialism. Our vision pushes further than historic social democracy and leaves behind authoritarian visions of socialism in the dustbin of history.' It goes on to add: 'We want a democracy that creates space for us all to flourish not just survive and answers the fundamental questions of our lives with the input of all. 'We want to collectively own the key economic drivers that dominate our lives, such as energy production and transportation. 'We want the multiracial working class united in solidarity instead of divided by fear. 'We want to win 'radical' reforms like single-payer Medicare for All, defunding the police/refunding communities, the Green New Deal, and more as a transition to a freer, more just life.' In early November, AOC comfortably won re-election in her New York seat. As of 9.30 pm on Nov 8 and with 60,000 votes counted in the state's 14th District, the Squad member had 73.8 percent of the vote and her Republican challenger Tina Forte had just 24.3 percent. A beloved street activist who was injured in a brutal police arrest has announced he will be running in the upcoming NSW election. Danny Lim, 78, revealed he intended to run under the ballot as 'Danny Lim's team of independent candidates' when the state heads to the polls in March. Mr Lim said he was motivated to become an MP after he was hospitalised with head injuries due to a shocking arrest in November. A beloved Sydney street activist who was injured in a brutal police arrest has announced he will be running in the upcoming NSW election Mr Lim said he was motivated to become an MP after he was hospitalised with head injuries following a shocking arrest by police in November Footage captured the local character being forced to the ground by two officers in the Queen Victoria Building, giving him with a bloodied face and black eye. Mr Lim suffered bleeding to the brain from the fall and requires ongoing specialist medical care and a walking stick. He said he was lucky to be alive and still felt like he had plenty of work ahead of him. 'I find it hard sometimes, I get dizzy and headaches, I have no mental or physical energy, but I don't just want to stay at home,' Mr Lim told The Daily Telegraph. Mr Lim unsuccessfully ran for parliament in 2019 and still has to secure nominations and candidates to run in the election this time around. The Sydney activist could be the first independent ever elected to the upper house of parliament if he is successful. He vowed to make 'positive change' while putting down the 'broken promises' made by ex-premier Gladys Berejiklian and her successor Dominic Perrottet. Mr Lim unsuccessfully ran for parliament in 2019 and still has to secure nominations and candidates to run in the election this time around 'The system doesn't work for many people,' Mr Lim said. 'My intention is to encourage others to also get involved, be brave and create a destiny with an open mind and open heart.' Mr Lim vowed to bring in more openness, transparency, and accountability in state politics. Free dental care, affordable housing, and legalised marijuana are among his election promises. Mr Lim said he was still recovering from the brutal arrest in November but wouldn't allow his symptoms to hold him back. Lawyers acting on behalf of the family of the five-year-old son of a man who died after repeatedly being shocked by Los Angeles police with a stun gun have filed a $50 million claim for damages against the city. The legal claim is required before Keenan Anderson's son and estate can sue the LAPD police for wrongful death and civil rights violations for restraining him and shocking him six times with a Taser in less than a minute on January 3, following a traffic collision. 'If you Taser someone with 50,000 watts of electrical energy six times ... is there really any wonder that moments later his heart will begin to flutter?' attorney Carl Douglas asked at a news conference. 'Is there any wonder why four hours later his heart could no longer withstand the pressure from that Taser and gave up, leaving a five-year-old boy in his wake?' Lawyers for the five-year-old son of Keenan Anderson, 31, who died after being shocked multiple times by the LAPD with a stun gun have submitted a $50 million claim for damages Lawyer Carl Douglas, right, held a news conference with Gabrielle Hansel, guardian of five-year-old Syncere Kai Anderson, to announce the filing of a $50 million damages claim Syncere Kai Anderson, 5, is held by his mom, Gabrielle Hansell, at a press conference The claim was filed on behalf of Anderson's son, Syncere Kai Anderson, who stood with his mother, Gabrielle Hansell, the administrator of his estate, alongside their attorneys. Anderson, 31, a high school English teacher in Washington, D.C., and cousin of Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, was the suspect in a hit-and-run traffic collision when he was stopped by police in Venice. He later ran from officers and resisted arrest, police said. Anderson screamed for help after he was pinned to the street by officers and repeatedly shocked, according to video released by the department. 'They're trying to kill me,' Anderson could be heard yelling. Footage showed an officer pressing his forearm on Anderson's chest and an elbow in his neck. 'They're trying to George Floyd me,' Anderson said in reference to the black man killed by officers in Minnesota in May 2020. After being subdued, Anderson went into cardiac arrest and died at a hospital about four hours later. Officers repeatedly issued instructions to Anderson that he declined to follow. He was warned he would be tased if he did not physically comply with their instructions to turn over Anderson could be heard crying out on police bodycam, 'Please, help me please' 'We can only wonder what Keenan Anderson meant,' attorney Ben Crump said. 'But if he meant that he would end up dead at the end of the encounter at the hands of the Los Angeles Police Department then Keenan Anderson was correct. They George Floyd him.' Chief Michel Moore said Anderson initially complied with officers as they investigated whether he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but he was subdued after struggling with officers who had chased him when he bolted. 'In my preliminary review of this incident, it's unclear what the role of that Taser was,' Moore said. 'To be clear, it's dependent on the totality of our investigative resources, but also on medical records from the hospital as well as a coroner's report and their formal and forensic level examination. As this investigation continues, however, I will pay close attention to the use of the Taser.' Anderson ran in fear - as other black men have - when additional officers responding to a call for backup rushed toward him, Douglas said. The claim said officers used unreasonable deadly force, carelessly and mistakenly deployed the Taser, failed to follow training on the dangers of asphyxiation while handcuffing Anderson and conspired with each other to hide and distort information in false police reports. 'Three trained killers, because that's what trained officers are, were unable to handcuff an unarmed man without having to Taser him six separate times on the back side of his heart,' Douglas said. Melina Abdullah, left, hugs Patrisse Cullors, right, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, at the news conference Patrisse Cullors, far left, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, listens as Gabrielle Hansell, mother of five-year-old Syncere Kai Anderson, far right, announced a lawsuit 'Having to hear Keenan cry out for help the way he did and watch him be hurt by the very people who were supposed to protect him is something I will never get over,' Hansel said Lawyers Benjamin Crump, left, and Carl Douglas, right, held a news conference on Friday An LAPD toxicology test found cocaine and cannabis in Anderson's body, the chief said. The coroner's office will also perform a toxicology report. The officers haven't been named yet but their union issued a statement saying the family and attorneys were 'trying to shamelessly profit' from a 'tragic incident.' An LAPD spokesperson declined to comment citing a policy not to discuss pending litigation. The Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents LAPD officers, issued a statement again laying the blame with Anderson saying he escalated the confrontation while high on drugs. 'Minor auto accidents are usually handled with an exchange of information between the drivers and a call to one's insurance carrier,' according to the LAPPL. 'On the other hand, when an individual who is high on cocaine is in an accident, tries to open the car door of an innocent driver, and then flees the scene by running into traffic, police officers must act. We demand that the chief of police release the missing seven minutes of body-worn camera video that will capture the entire episode with Mr. Anderson. 'We believe the missing video will confirm that Mr. Anderson was the one who escalated this tragic incident that his family and Mr. Crump are now trying to shamelessly profit from.' In a post on Instagram BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors revealed that Anderson was her cousin In the aftermath of his death, BLM Co-Founder Patrisse Cullors took to instagram to mourn the passing of her cousin and blamed the LAPD for his death 'As I watched the video, what was clear to me is that my cousin, Keenan, was actually really scared and he was asking for help repeatedly and unfortunately that's not what he received from LAPD,' Cullors told the Los Angeles Times. 'At that point the question becomes why wasn't there [help]? 'Why wasn't my cousin offered medical attention?' she asked. 'Why wasn't there an ambulance or fire department called if he kept repeating that he needed help, that he needed support?' Cullors told the news outlet that before watching the body camera footage she said that she and her family were trying to figure out what actually took place. 'What we do know is that Keenan was alive before his experience with the police and then he was dead. But we don't want to continue with the narrative of what the police were saying because we don't know if that's true,' she said. 'Keenan, you deserve compassion,' Cullors said. 'Keenan, you deserve to be in your classroom, supporting your students. Keenan, you deserve to have your wedding day. Keenan, you deserve to be raising your son.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has limited options before him should the referendum on a national Indigenous Voice to Parliament fail, experts say. Mr Albanese's first promise when he became prime minister last May was to implement - in full - the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which calls for a constitutionally enshrined advisory voice. But with mounting criticisms about a lack of detail, there are early signs Mr Albanese could fall short in getting the promise over the line. According to some experts Anthony Albanese is taking a gamble by taking the national Indigenous Voice to Parliament The Prime Minister is refusing to consider any option other than a successful referendum. In doing so, he refuses to be drawn on whether a failed constitutional vote would mean he would consider legislating a Voice body anyway. Mr Albanese went so far as to say conflating the two was like comparing rugby league and rugby union. 'I am determined to do what I can, along with so many other Australians who will be campaigning for a 'yes' vote from across the political spectrum,' he said this week. 'And that is my focus.' Constitutional law expert Anne Twomey said if the referendum failed, there were still options available to legislate a Voice - but that would quickly become a 'political problem'. Constitutional law expert Anne Twomey said if Mr Albanese did proceed with legislating a Voice in the event of a failed referendum, it would become a major political problem 'Technically, there's still a way to legislate even if the Voice referendum fails,' she told said. 'So you could legislate to try and ensure that there was some organised mechanism for Indigenous people to express views in relation to matters affecting them, but I suspect there would be difficulty doing that because it's a notion that would have been rejected at the constitutional level.' 'It would be very difficult for a government to come by and say 'we'll just do that by legislation', so there would be a political problem with doing that,' she explained. 'But from a legal point of view, the race power in the Constitution still exists - that's the power that allows the Commonwealth to make special laws with respect to Indigenous Australians if there's a need to do so. 'So it could still exercise that power in that way that involves Indigenous Australians making representations or feeding their views into government, but we come back to the problem that it's a political problem if the Australian people have already voted against it at a constitutional level.' North Sydney independent MP Kylea Tink said that calling for legislation outlining the Voice is a 'distraction' Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Mr Albanese's refusal to rule out legislative change if the referendum should fail risked undermining the entire process. Having called for Mr Albanese to put forward legislation before the referendum, he accused the Prime Minister of being 'tricky' on not being clear about his intention to legislate a Voice in the event it fails. 'If the constitutional question goes down, if Australians say, 'Well look, I just don't have the detail, I don't understand what the Prime Minister is talking about' and they vote against it, then the Prime Minister can legislate in the parliament in a heartbeat,' Mr Dutton said. 'The Prime Minister has control, an absolute majority in the lower house. He can pass whatever Bill he wants when parliament goes back. 'He can get this Bill through immediately, if that's his want. 'But is he saying to the Australian public that if you vote 'no' in the referendum that he will then legislate the next day to bring it in? If that's the case, well, pass the legislation now and demonstrate to Australians how it can work.' Mr Albanese said his focus would be on passing the referendum in the second half of the year. Picture: Supplied/ PMO North Sydney independent MP Kylea Tink said proposing legislation as a back-up 'in case' the referendum failed was a 'political tactic' used by those seeking to 'muddy and confuse the conversation'. 'Premature talk of 'simple legislation' is a disingenuous cop out,' she said. 'North Sydney won't fall for the distraction. I am committed to a positive conversation conducted with the optimism and courage my constituents have for our country.' Professor Twomey said Mr Albanese and other 'yes' campaigners should be putting their focus into convincing Australians to pass the referendum rather than risk the potential political ramifications. Mr Albanese himself conceded, when he revealed the draft question for the referendum at last year's Garma festival, that the referendum was a 'high hurdle to clear'. History shows the path to constitutional change is challenging. Since Australia's federation in 1901, 44 constitutional amendments have been put to the Australian public on 19 occasions. The referendum to create the Indigenous Voice to Parliament needs to approved by a majority of voters and a majority of voters in at least four states Of the proposals, only eight have received the double majority required for adoption. Proposals need a majority of overall voters and a majority of voters in at least four states to vote yes. Of the 44 reforms, 25 have been proposed by left-of-centre governments - only one of which has passed. The other seven successful referendums have been put forward by conservative governments. As for whether the government could consider holding another referendum, Professor Twomey said while that has been done before, history showed that bringing it back for a second time would not necessarily guarantee success. 'It would depend very much on whether the proposal has changed in a way that means that the people are prepared to support it or not,' she said. 'That's not the sort of thing that one can guarantee either way.' The memorial for Lynette 'Diamond' Hardaway, half of the pro-Trump vlogging duo 'Diamond and Silk,' took a dark turn on Saturday as her sister, Rochelle 'Silk' Richardson, detailed the late 51-year-old's final moments and alluded to a nefarious poisoning plot she claims caused her death. The three-hour service held in North Carolina saw hundreds of Make America Great Again (MAGA) figures in attendance, including the former U.S. President himself, and featured musical performances and talks from conservative figureheads. The right-wing tribute to Diamond took a turn however as prominent anti-vaxxer and Diamond's sister Silk took the stage - questioning whether Americans are being poisoned spurring Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to demand an investigation into the COVID vaccine. Trump followed the radical speech, throwing his support behind Silk, whom he admitted he had 'just learned about' despite meeting her on several occasions with her sister Diamond. Lynette 'Diamond' Hardaway's, 51, memorial took a dark turn as Rochelle 'Silk' Richardson, detailed her sister's final moments and alluded to a nefarious plot that she believes killed her In the wild, when they want to depopulate and sterilize a large group of animals, they usually inJect ONE Animal, and then that one Animal inFect the rest of the Animals So technically and according to the science, it doesnt matter if you're vaxxed or not. pic.twitter.com/DGzLJwsAxH Diamond and Silk (@DiamondandSilk) January 22, 2023 'Instead of asking if Americans are vaxxed or unvaxxed, the real question to ask is: Are Americans being poisoned?' Silk asked the pro-Trump crowd filled with friends and family. 'In the wild, when they want to depopulate and sterilize a large group of animals, they usually inject one animal, and that one animal infect the rest of the animals,' Silk said, suggesting, without evidence, that the COVID-19 vaccine creates harm. 'People are dropping dead around here, and nobody is talking about it! They are dropping dead suddenly and unexpectedly.' According to research, there has been no evidence to suggest that the COVID-19 vaccine causes people to die, despite far-right pundits amplifying the phrase 'died suddenly' on social media followed by videos of people having seizures to support their theories. Silk followed the anti-vax rhetoric with a detailed retelling of the final moments her sister, 51, spoke to her. 'She said to me, 'I can't breathe.' It was something out of nowhere, and no warning. Each breath was less, and less, and less,' she explains to the crowd. Trump paid tribute to Diamond, describing her as one of the world's 'brightest stars' but admitted he 'didn't know Silk at all' despite meeting her countless times After Silk goes on and on about how much she loves Trump and all the great times they had together, Trump gets up and says this: I knew Diamond, but I didnt know Silk at all. I just learned about Silk. Youre fantastic. pic.twitter.com/jgReN5hW5C Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) January 21, 2023 'What I want to say to everybody is don't you dare call me a conspiracy theorist. Because I saw it happen. I saw how it happened. I was there when it happened, and it happened suddenly.' She went on to urge the crowd to 'get some answers as to why people are falling dead suddenly.' Firebrand Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene posted part of the speech to Twitter: 'I demand an IMMEDIATE investigation into COVID vaccines and the dramatic increase of people dying suddenly! This can no longer be ignored and is NOT political.' In the early days of the COVID pandemic, Diamond and Silk floated fringe conspiracy theories, including the idea that quarantining could somehow result in people getting 'sick' and that increased COVID-19 case numbers being shared with the public was an attempt to harm Trump politically. Silk has repeatedly denied on Twitter that her sister died from COVID-19. Diamond's cause of death remains unclear. 'Where's your proof that my sister died from contracting COVID-19? No Proof plus No Truth equates to a Lawsuit,' Silk wrote after Diamond's death was announced. Trump is pictured with Diamond and Silk on several occasions, like here, during a social Media Summit July 2019 Despite always seeming delighted whenever he was in the company of Diamond and Silk. He couldn't place Silk who said he thought of her and her sister as family The former U.S. president appears to be close to both members of the pro-Trump vlogging duo Following the impassioned call to action on the vaccine, Silk paid homage to the former U.S. president remembering the close relationship the three shared going as far as to say that he 'treated us just like the other children - Eric, Don Jr, Tiffany.' But as Trump paid tribute to Diamond, describing her as one of the world's 'brightest stars' he admits he 'didn't know Silk at all' despite meeting her countless times. 'The world has lost one of its brightest stars but I see that we have another star who was equal to but she stepped up and she is different,' Trump said. 'I'm serious I thought I knew them both, I didn't, I knew Diamond, but I didn't know Silk at all I just learned about Silk, you're fantastic, you're going to carry on beyond, beyond anybody's wildest imaginations.' Pictures of the three together have resurfaced, showing Trump with the duo at the White House on several occasions and on the campaign trail with Trump. As the funeral service proceeded, it slowly began to descend into madness, turning from a funeral service to what appeared to be a MAGA rally. In the early days of the COVID pandemic, Diamond and Silk floated fringe conspiracy theories, including the idea that quarantining could somehow result in people getting 'sick' They also claimed that increased COVID-19 case numbers being shared with the public was an attempt to harm Trump politically 'She lives on in the hearts and the minds of those who loved her,' Republican North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson said. 'The news media right now has paid little to no attention to her passing. We all know what the news media is. It is the most evil devil in America.' 'She was wise, she was strong, and she was beautiful,' Robinson continued. Each speaker, including Trump, paid tribute to her unwavering support of the former president. 'Another secret about Diamond: She had a boyfriend. Yes, that's right. And she had a boyfriend, and oh, my God, we would talk about him all of the time,' Diamond and Silk's executive director Tressie Ham said. 'His name: President Donald J. Trump. Yes, yes, yes. President Donald J. Trump, that was her boyfriend.' Ham added that Diamond's 'side piece' was Mike Lindell. Diamond and Silk promote themselves as 'Trump's most loyal supporters' the 51-year-old's funeral turning from a solemn affair to what has been likened to a MAGA rally Former President Trump also shared the news on his Truth Social platform, stating that her death was sudden and that she was with her sister, Rochelle 'Silk' Richardson, at the time Diamond and Silk's executive director Tressie Ham said: 'Another secret about Diamond: She had a boyfriend... his name, President Donald J. Trump' adding that her 'side piece' was Mike Lindell Silk also used the service to threaten to file a complaint against local police over their handling of her sister's death, though she gave few details. 'To the Hoke County Sheriff's department, you have a rotten apple in the bunch,' Silk said. 'While the body is still warm on the kitchen floor, you don't overstep the next of kin then try and barge into my home, that I pay the bills for, illegally, with no warrant, to retrieve my sister's dead body. 'You don't push yourself onto someone then say 'don't touch me,' she continued. Silk who has long called for 'handcuffs' to be removed from police went on to pledge that she would file a 'complaint' against the local North Carolina police department 'ASAP.' She added: 'Just because you are dressed in blue doesn't mean you get to abuse the power you think you have.' Diamond passed away at her home in North Carolina on Jan 9 a post on the her and her sister's Twitter account stated. In 2020, the sisters were let go from their jobs at Fox News for promoting conspiracy theories about the coronavirus, including that COVID-19 death figures 'The World just lost a True Angel and Warrior Patriot for Freedom, Love, and Humanity!' their Twitter account stated. Trump also shared the news on his Truth Social platform, stating that her death was sudden and that she was with her sister, Rochelle 'Silk' Richardson, at the time. 'Really bad news for Republicans and frankly, ALL Americans. Our beautiful Diamond, of Diamond and Silk, has just passed away at her home in the State she loved so much, North Carolina,' he wrote. 'Silk was with her all the way, and at her passing. There was no better TEAM anywhere, or at any time! Diamond's death was totally unexpected, probably her big and precious HEART just plain gave out. 'Rest In Peace our Magnificent Diamond, you will be greatly missed!' In November, the Diamond and Silk Twitter account, which promotes the duo as 'Trump's most loyal supporters,' requested that supporters pray for Hardaway but did not provide a reason. 'Anyone who believes in the power of prayer please pray for Diamond,' it said. A few days before, the account had posted about her 51st birthday. Lynette 'Diamond' Hardaway, left, a right-wing commentator and one half of the pro-Donald Trump vlogging duo Diamond and Silk, passed away aged 51. It's unclear how she died Hardaway and Richardson gesture while speaking at the National Rifle Association in 2018 The Daily Beast reported that Hardaway returned to her show the following month and denied unverified online reports that she had been hospitalized with COVID-19. She filmed her last episode on December 15. In 2020, the sisters were let go from their jobs at Fox News for promoting conspiracy theories about coronavirus, including allegations that the virus was intentionally spread by 'deep-state snakes' and that a vaccine would be used for population control. They also promoted the conspiracy theory on-air that COVID-19 death figures were being manipulated to make Trump appear bad. Diamond and Silk then joined the fringe network Newsmax with their show 'Diamond and Silk: Crystal Clear' and claimed to be Trump's 'most loyal supporters.' The two women came to the fore during Trump's 2016 campaign for president, when they supported him with commentary on their YouTube channel. The duo were at one time lifelong Democrats but switched allegiance to support Trump following his 2015 presidential campaign announcement. In 2018, the sisters testified before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation about supposed attempts to shut down their Facebook page. Their appearance came amid GOP claims of anti-Republican bias on the platform. In 2020, they released the co-written book 'Uprising,' which they claimed became a bestseller. A second woman has died after she fell from a boat following a horrific crash that killed one person and left another in hospital. Western Australian Police were called to an area near Pinjarra Road and Soldiers Cove Terrace in Mandurah, south of Perth, about 10pm on Saturday. Four people were on board a boat when it reportedly collided with a red post marker in the Mandurah estuary. Two women were thrown from the boat following the crash. A second woman has died after she fell from a boat following a horrific crash in Mandurah, south of Perth. Pictured is a rescue boat used in the search A 54-year-old woman was recovered from the water, however she died at the scene. Mandurah detectives spent Sunday morning searching for the second woman, 52, after she was unable to be found. Police confirmed on Sunday afternoon the woman had been found dead. A 47-year-old man, who was believed to be driving the boat, was taken to the Royal Perth Hospital with serious injuries. A second man, 54, was also on the boat at the time of the crash but was uninjured. Duty Inspector Vic Hussey told the ABC on Sunday that police were searching the water for others who were possibly missing. The boat carrying for people hit a red post marker near Mandurah Bridge (pictured) on Saturday night 'We are currently searching the water potentially for at least one person that may be missing from a vessel that was involved in a collision,' he said. 'Regrettably there is one person that is deceased as a result of this collision. 'We are aware of the fact that potentially the boat has hit a navigation marker or something similar.' A filmmaker who met Shamima Begum in a Syrian refugee camp says the former-teen ISIS bride sees herself as a 'celebrity' after the recent media attention. Documentary maker Andrew Drury, who has travelled to Syria to speak to the 23-year-old on several occasions, said Begum is a 'narcissist' who 'sees herself as a victim'. Begum, who is currently appealing a decision by the UK Government to strip her of her British citizenship, originally travelled to Syria to join ISIS when she was 15 years old. Earlier this month the BBC sparked fury as it devoted a 10-episode podcast to the woman who is accused of sewing bombers into their suicide vests while living in ISIS-controlled territory in the Middle East. Andrew Drury, pictured here with Shamima Begum in a Syrian refugee camp, says she is a 'narcissist' Begum, pictured here wearing leggings and a white t-shirt, has changed her appearance radically since she was first found in the Al-Roj camp in Syria Mr Drury said he had initially been taken in by Begum when meeting her for the first time, adding that he had felt 'sorry' for her. However, last week he he can see through the character she is playing for the cameras. The Times quotes him as saying: 'She sees herself as a victim now but she told me quite clearly it was her choice to go [to Syria] and she went of her own free will 'She is a narcissist. She wants to be a somebody. Now she sees herself as a celebrity. Being part of Isis meant she was a somebody and now she's a somebody again.' In July last year Mr Drury said the UK has a responsibility to bring British jihadi brides like Begum and their children 'back home' because it was not fair to leave them 'to be a danger to the Syrians and the Kurds' who have 'enough danger to deal with already'. But he has since changed his view - in September he said he believed Begum was a 'manipulative personality playing the victim card in an attempt to get back to the UK'. He told the Sun at the time: 'After extensive face-to-face meetings and a slew of bizarre text messages, I am convinced she is a bitter, twisted character with deep psychological problems.' Mr Drury said that he was 'floored' when she told him that the death of her three children no longer makes her sad, and that she had 'moved on'. This, he said, began to change his view that Begum is a victim. Mr Drury, who has written a book about his experiences of travelling abroad for work called Trip Hazard, said she made no mention of being 'trafficked or groomed' when he first met her. He claims she is trying to 'create a character' that she can use to get back to the UK. Whether she is let back into Britain will depend on the decision of a Special Immigration Appeals Commission, which is looking into her claims she was unfairly stripped of her citizenship. Begum claims she was a victim of trafficking, after she and two friends travelled to Syria when she was 15 with the help of a spy working for Canadian intelligence. The ISIS bride gave birth to three children after joining ISIS, none of whom have survived. Pictured: Begum with her week-old son Jerah While in Syria she was married to Yago Rieddijk, a Dutch Muslim convert who was eight years older than her. Four years later she was found living in a Syrian refugee camp, pregnant with her third child - her first two had died of malnutrition-related illnesses and her third would also perish soon after birth. It was claimed that Begum had acted as an enforcer for ISIS's strict sharia lifestyle and had even sewn vests to suicide bombers before their attacks - she denies this. In her first interview after she was found, she sparked outrage after she claimed seeing 'my first severed head in a bin didn't faze me at all'. Poll Should the UK take Begum back? Yes No Should the UK take Begum back? Yes 873 votes No 13413 votes Now share your opinion Days later the then-Home Secretary Sajid Javid stripped Begum of her citizenship, sparking a court battle from her supporters. The Home Office says Begum knew what she was walking into when she joined ISIS, but her lawyers argue she was trafficked and sexually exploited. Her family's lawyer, Tasnime Akunjee told the times: 'The court of public opinion is not part of my jurisdiction. 'If she was trafficked within the terms of the Modern Slavery Act and the home secretary did not have this in mind, was the decision to strip her of her citizenship valid?' A Home Office spokesman said: 'The government's priority remains maintaining the safety and security of the UK. It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst legal proceedings are ongoing.' The BBC sparked fury earlier this month after releasing a podcast series featuring Begum in which she defended her actions. In the show, titled I'm Not A Monster, Begum said: 'I have always been a more secluded person... I'm not a person that likes a lot of attention on me.' In the series she described crossing the border into Syria as being 'easy' and talked about the journey she took with her school friends Amira Abase, also 15, and Kadiza Sultana, 16. It is understood that no money has been paid to her by the BBC for her participation in the series. But critics claim the corporation should not be giving her the 'oxygen' of publicity amid concerns it will allow her to 'spin' a 'sob story' and use it as a PR opportunity. Campaign group the TaxPayers' Alliance said in a social media post that the BBC licence fee money 'should not be supporting this disgraceful PR exercise to spin the sob story of an Isis bride'. The BBC has said the series is 'not a platform for Shamima Begum to give her unchallenged story' but a 'robust, public interest investigation'. Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt over Northern Ireland Brexit rules as Tories and the DUP warn he must not give control to EU judges. There is growing speculation that the PM is ready to agree that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) will still have a role in resolving disputes over the province. The UK and Brussels have been engaged in intense negotiations to try and resolve the long-running standoff over post-Brexit rules. The bitter dispute over the Protocol has collapsed powersharing, with the DUP boycotting the Northern Ireland institutions. Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt over Northern Ireland Brexit rules as Tories and the DUP warn he must not give control to EU judges There is growing speculation that the PM is ready to agree that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) will still have a role in resolving disputes over the province That has prevented the establishment of a functioning Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly since elections last May. The sides are believed to be close to a deal, which could be finalised before the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in April. However, Cabinet ministers recognise that Mr Sunak will face a moment of danger as he will have to square compromises with both the Brexiteer ERG faction in his own party, and the DUP - which is demanding the protocol is scrapped. Rumours are swirling that ministers are about to concede the ECJ can be the final arbiter on EU laws that apply inside Northern Ireland. There are claims the UK will seek to insert protections to stop the European Commission from referring disputes directly to its court. Instead spats would handled by an independent panel that would consult the ECJ. Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, David Jones - deputy chair of the ERG - and DUP Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson warned against attempting a 'fudge'. 'The ultimate test of any deal will be whether it ends Northern Ireland's semi-colonial status as a client of the EU, automatically accepting EU laws without any input from elected representatives,' they wrote in a joint article. 'That is a fundamental problem that simply can't be fudged. A deal should address not only the symptoms of the Protocol by reducing the level of checks. Maros Sefcovic (left) has been leading discussions for the EU. The DUP (leader Jeffrey Donaldson pictured right) has previously called for the protocol to be axed altogether 'It must also resolve the root cause of those checks, namely the fact that Northern Ireland is trapped in EU Single Market rules, semi-detached from the rest of the United Kingdom, and therefore subject to the constant threat of future regulatory divergence with Great Britain. 'Ultimately, an agreement that serves merely the short-term interests of the UK and EU but does not represent a lasting settlement between both those parties and all traditions in Northern Ireland will be futile. 'Unionist politicians won't accept it. It will be a failure in statecraft of historic proportions.' Russia has quietly dropped a rule exempting fathers of three of more children from mobilisation - amid fears Putin will send another 500,000 conscripts to Ukraine. MPs are understood to have proposed a law that will give the country's National Guard greater powers to impose military draft orders. A second proposal includes allowing property to be confiscated from individuals who flee abroad to avoid being drafted into the war effort. It comes after thousands of desperate Russians began trying to escape the country in September after Putin announced a dramatic mobilisation of 300,000 reservists. Putin hinted a second mobilisation may be near when he told workers at a military production factory in St Petersburg this week that they are exempt from a call-up People bid farewell to reservists drafted during the partial mobilisation in the Siberian settlement of Bolsherechye in the Omsk region of Russia in September But Moscow's mayor's office is now said to be employing more staff to handle conscription, with some civil servants having had their holiday cancelled, The Telegraph reports. Fears have also spread following rumours emerging on social media over talk of martial law in the country. The Kremlin has denied any such plants to lift the exemption, but Putin hinted a second mobilisation may be near when he told workers at a military production factory in St Petersburg this week that they are exempt from a call-up. Another wave of mobilisation could further prolong a war that the Kremlin initially expected only to last a matter of days. Konrad Muzyka, chief of defence consultancy Rochan, told The Telegraph: 'If Russia announces another wave of mobilisation and expands its armed forces, then the war in Ukraine will last years.' But Moscow is also said to be aware of the political backlash such a decision may bring, with many of the 320,000 conscripts sent to the frontline in September now feared dead. It comes as a close ally of Putin warned today that deliveries of weapons to Kyiv that threaten Russia will lead to a global catastrophe and make arguments against using weapons of mass destruction untenable. Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the Duma - Russia's lower house of parliament - warned that the United States and Nato's support of Ukraine is leading the world to a 'terrible war'. Reservists drafted during the partial mobilisation say goodbye to relatives and friends as they depart a recruiting station in Saint Petersburg in September Thousands of desperate Russians began trying to escape the country in September after Putin announced a dramatic mobilisation of 300,000 reservists last year He said on Telegram: 'If Washington and NATO countries supply weapons that will be used to strike civilian cities and attempt to seize our territories, as they threaten, this will lead to retaliatory measures using more powerful weapons. 'Arguments that the nuclear powers have not previously used weapons of mass destruction in local conflicts are untenable. 'Because these states did not face a situation where there was a threat to the security of their citizens and the territorial integrity of the country.' Western allies pledged billions of dollars worth of weapons for Ukraine last week. However, they they failed to persuade Germany to lift a veto on providing its Leopard 2 battle tanks - held by an number of Nato nations but whose transfer to Ukraine requires Berlin's approval. Since its invasion on February 24 last year, which it has cast as defending itself from an aggressive West, Russia has taken control of parts of Ukraine and has said it will never return them. Kyiv, though, has said that restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity is not open for negotiation. Volodin's comments followed a similar threat last week by Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's former prime minister and president. Emergency workers clear the rubble after a Russian rocket hit a multistory building leaving many people under debris in the southeastern city of Dnipro last week Rescue workers clear rubble from an apartment building which was destroyed by a Russian rocket attack last week The 58-year-old has been speaker of the lower house, the State Duma, since 2016, having previously held a senior role in the presidential administration. As a member of Putin's Security Council, he has regular access to the president. 'Deliveries of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime will lead to a global catastrophe', he said. Meanwhile, US intelligence sources have claimed Russian casualties in Ukraine have reached a staggering 188,000. The figure is a significant increase to the estimation of 100,000 Russian soldiers who were wounded, deserted and killed when outlined by UKs Defence Secretary Ben Wallace at the end of 2022. It is also thought that the Ukrainians have captured or destroyed approximately 2,000 Russian tanks since the invasion. Africa Data Centres (www.AfricaDataCentres.com) has broken ground on its new facility in Nairobi; The new build will expand its existing data centre by up to 15MW of IT load; The facility will be built in the companys leading-edge modular design. Africa Data Centres, a business of Cassava Technologies, a pan-African technology group, is pleased to announce it has officially broken ground on an additional data centre facility in Nairobi. The new build will see the existing facility on the adjacent piece of land expanded up to an extra 15MW of IT load. ADCs expansion at the new site will be completed in the first half of 2024 and will bring five times more capacity than is currently installed. We believe that data centres will play a significant role in digital transformation and economic growth on our continent. Without them, the push towards a digital economy in Africa will be missing a key pillar. Our decision to increase our investment in our data centres in Kenya is in recognition of the position the country now occupies as a leader in the adoption of digital technologies in Africa says Hardy Pemhiwa, Group President & CEO of Cassava Technologies. During the ground-breaking ceremony today, Tesh Durvasula, CEO of Africa Data Centres, said, The expansion will enable Africa Data Centre clients to grow and scale depending on their requirements. They can start small, increase to a medium capacity, and even benefit from a hyperscale type of deployment in a few years if they choose to. This will enable customers to operate multiple deployments across our sites with a single operations team, campus, and infrastructure they are familiar with. Kenya is the country that pioneered mobile money, and today boasts of a wide range of incubators and tech startups, a clear sign of an innovative tech culture. The focus on Kenya as a key region aims to take the region further into the digital era and uplift the countrys profile globally as an attractive investment destination for international cloud providers, hyperscalers, and other ICT companies. The new data facility will begin with 5MW of IT load and will be built in Africa Data Centres leading-edge modular design an innovative approach that sees the entire facility, including all critical plant rooms, prefabricated off-site. This ensures the highest possible quality, whilst local contractors will still benefit from contracts to lay foundations, assemble, and complete the build. He stresses that sustainability is at the heart of everything Africa Data Centres does. In terms of cooling, even as the largest network of interconnected, carrier- and cloud-neutral data centre facilities on the continent, ADC has a strict policy of not using adiabatic systems. We do not use water in any of our cooling systems and are one of the few colocation providers who have taken this step, said Durvasula. While the common belief might be that water and adiabatic systems are more efficient than air cooling systems, this simply is not the case. With the newest technology, if free-cooling capacity is maximised, it becomes far more efficient and saves water which is becoming a critical commodity, particularly in Africa. He added that Africa Data Centre is fortunate in Kenya as almost 70% of grid power is from green energy sources. This helps us to meet our sustainability objectives because we understand no organisation can achieve zero carbon emissions by itself. We understand that sustainability is about ensuring that we conduct ourselves in a manner that minimises our impact on the environment. We extend this ethos to all of our partners, and constantly look for ways to ensure that all elements of the business contribute positively to the sustainability of the planet. Todays event is a step forward in the companys expansion plans announced in 2021, which will see Africa Data Centres investing $500m into building hyperscale data centres across Africa with the support of the US Development Finance Corporation. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Nadhim Zahawi was blocked from a knighthood in the New Year's Honours list due to his tax affairs, it was claimed today. The Tory chair is facing fresh questions after finally releasing a statement to clear up 'confusion' over a significant settlement with HMRC. Mr Zahawi is understood to have made a payment to the tax authorities - reported to be well into seven figures - while Chancellor at the end of Boris Johnson's reign. But the Cabinet minister insisted both sides agreed that the issues with his tax had been 'careless' rather than deliberate. It was confirmed by Sky News last night that Mr Zahawi was chancellor and therefore in charge of HMRC at the time he was negotiating a settlement with it. Labour is demanding an independent probe into the revelations. However, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stressed Mr Zahawi's background as an entrepreneur in an interview this morning, and said he believes his colleague will stay in post. Mr Cleverly also raised eyebrows by claiming he did not know details of the situation because he had been abroad on business, and spent yesterday resting and catching up on 'shopping'. The Sun on Sunday said Mr Zahawi - founder of polling firm YouGov - had been put forward for a knighthood in the recent honours process, but did not feature on the final list. A source close to the former vaccines minister said: 'Nadhim is very proud to have run the UK's world-beating vaccine rollout, and reopened schools during Omicron. 'And it was the honour of his life to coordinate Her Majesty's funeral when in the Cabinet Office. He did those things to serve the country he loves and that is reward enough.' A Westminster source familiar with the process told MailOnline: 'These faceless apparatchiks go around awarding themselves every honour under the sun at the drop of a hat. 'But when someone leads the only two successes of the State in recent hears, in vaccines and Her Majesty's funeral, some pen-pusher decides to block recognition of true achievement because of some technical accounting point. It's shameful.' Nadhim Zahawi is facing fresh questions after finally releasing a statement to clear up 'confusion' over a significant settlement with HMRC Mr Zahawi is understood to have made a payment to the tax authorities - reported to be well into seven figures - while Chancellor at the end of Boris Johnson's reign Mr Zahawi did not disclose the size of the HMRC settlement reported to be an estimated 4.8million including a 30 per cent penalty or confirm whether he paid a fine. He denied allegations that he avoided tax by using an offshore company registered in Gibraltar to hold shares in YouGov. Mr Zahawi did not take founder shares when he set up YouGov, saying in his statement that his father took shares 'in exchange for some capital and his invaluable guidance'. He continued: 'Twenty one years later, when I was being appointed chancellor of the Exchequer, questions were being raised about my tax affairs. I discussed this with the Cabinet Office at the time. 'Following discussions with HMRC, they agreed that my father was entitled to founder shares in YouGov, though they disagreed about the exact allocation. They concluded that this was a 'careless and not deliberate' error. 'So that I could focus on my life as a public servant, I chose to settle the matter and pay what they said was due, which was the right thing to do.' HMRC agreed that he had never set up an offshore structure, including Balshore Investments, 'and that I am not the beneficiary of Balshore Investments,' Mr Zahawi said. He added that the matter was resolved and that all his tax affairs were 'up to date' when he was appointed Conservative party chairman by Mr Sunak in October. Sources stressed that there was no 'negotiation' with HMRC, and Mr Zahawi merely ordered his accountants to pay what the tax authorities asked in order to clear the matter up. A source told The Sun on Sunday: 'Nadhim had been put forward for a knighthood. As part of the normal due diligence, Cabinet officials contacted HMRC in December. 'Nadhim subsequently did not appear on the list in the New Year.' The Cabinet Office refuses to comment on individual honours cases. Mr Cleverly said he was unable to answer questions on Nadhim Zahawi's tax affairs because he was carrying out his duties as Foreign Secretary and 'doing some shopping'. Asked why he did not know any details, he told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme: 'I spent the whole of last week in the United States of America and in Canada. 'I arrived back in the UK early on Friday morning, on an overnight flight, before then going on to engage with my constituents through Friday and having a bit of a rest and doing some shopping on Saturday.' He added: 'The decision as to how much detail to put in the public domain is rightly one for Nadhim himself.' Mr Cleverly also defended keeping politicians' tax dealings 'personal and private'. 'Well, I think it's right and proper that people's tax affairs are personal and private,' he said. He added: 'We keep hearing that we want politicians to be more like the rest of us and less to be a kind of strange and unique beast. 'So, I think that, you know, the rules that we apply to others, I think it is legitimate to also apply to politicians. 'That is why, as I say, we don't demand it of others and if politicians choose to do so, that's great. But I think having a unique requirement that is different to the rest of society, I don't think that would necessarily be the best way forward.' Rishi Sunak is facing questions over what he knew about the matter, as well as calls to sack Mr Zahawi. The PM's promise to restore 'integrity' to government was dealt a blow last week after he was fined by police for not wearing a seatbelt and criticised for the allocation of Levelling Up funding. Downing Street said it had nothing to add to Mr Zahawi's statement and confirmed that the Prime Minister had confidence in him as Tory chairman. Opposition parties have demanded an independent probe as well as the publication of all of Mr Zahawi's correspondence with HMRC. Rishi Sunak (pictured) is facing questions over what he knew about the matter, as well as calls to sack Mr Zahawi Labour party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds said: 'Nadhim Zahawi still needs to explain when he became aware of the investigation, and if he was chancellor and in charge of our tax system at the time. 'He needs to explain why his legal representatives said his affairs were up to date in December last year only for him to settle a million-pound fine this month. 'And he needs to explain why he was using threatening and intimidating legal action to shut down legitimate questions from tax experts last year. 'Rishi Sunak needs to remove Nadhim Zahawi as party chair and set the record straight immediately including about what he knew about the investigation into Zahawi at the time.' Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: 'Zahawi and his Conservative Cabinet colleagues are arrogantly trying to brush this under the carpet. 'There are facts that still need to be established so there must be an independent investigation to get to the bottom of this.' The Lunar New Year massacre in Monterey Park, California that left 10 dead and another 10 injured, may have been the result of a domestic dispute between a husband and wife, a local business leader has claimed. Head of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, Chester Chong, told a local ABC7 outlet he believes the massacre was not a hate crime, but rather an instance of domestic unrest taken to the extreme. He said he believes the shooting was caused because of hatred between a 'wife and husband,' and that it was a 'personal case' taken to horrific ends. On Sunday morning, law enforcement in California said the suspect who shot up the Star Ballroom dance club has been described as an 'Asian man,' and that it remains unclear if the suspect is linked to another shooting two miles down the road. The update arrived as a desperate manhunt remains underway by law enforcement in the Los Angeles area after the gunman opened fire just after 10pm, about an hour after a local Lunar New Year celebration. Horrifying pictures showed victims being stretched from the scene before being rushed to hospital as cops and ambulances swarmed the area. Cops said throngs of terrified festivalgoers streamed out of the area 'screaming' as bullets continued to fly. Monterey Park has canceled the Lunar New Year events that were scheduled to take place Sunday near and around the dance hall. Multiple casualties were reported after the shooting in California during New Year celebrations Police also said they were investigating whether a second shooting at Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra (pictured) was linked. No one was killed in Alhambra Several residents react as they stand near a ballroom dance club in Monterey Park, California on Sunday January 22 As morning arrives, policemen continue to investigate the scene of the Monterey Park mass shooting on Saturday night Sunday Lunar New Year celebrations around the area of the mass shooting were canceled NEW: According to law enforcement, the Monterey Park mass shooter is a "male Asian." Witnesses and community members - including Chester Chong, leader of the local Chamber of Commerce - are saying the shooting was instigated by intimate partner violence. pic.twitter.com/pEoIS5dMoj Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) January 22, 2023 Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said that the 10 victims who were injured but not pronounced dead at the scene, were left in stable to critical condition. Luna said that members of his force are searching fervently for the suspect: 'I see it in their eyes. They want to go get this guy, and they're going to.' He added that it remains unclear if the massacre at the ballroom was connected with a second shooting that occurred two miles down the road in the minutes after the first shooting. The second shooting occurred at Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra. No one was killed, ghe studio is, however, closed until further notice. Luna added that the department does not believe the suspect was using an assault style weapon, as was previously reported. Scott Wiese, the Monterey Park Police Chief said that, while it is now safe to attend Lunar New Year celebrations in other parts of the community, the investigation that was launched today is large and 'will go on for many days and perhaps many months.' Wiese said law enforcement is looking for information from the community and hope members will work closely with law enforcement as the search continues. Local restaurant owner Seung Won Choi told the LA Times three people rushed into his business and told him to lock the door. Choi said he was told there was a man with a machine-gun, and believes there shooting took place at a dance club. He added the man had multiple rounds of ammunition on him and would reload every time he ran out. Local resident Wong Wei told the Los Angeles Times his friend was at the dance club, and was in the bathroom when shooting broke out. When she emerged, she said she saw a gunman and three bodies - two women and one person who he said was the boss of the club. Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna spoke with media during a Sunday morning presser Police vehicles continue to circumnavigate the area in the aftermath of the shooting Firefighters were spotted treating the wounded in the parking lot outside the dance studio on Saturday night Dozens of cops and firefighters swarmed the scene but the gunman remained on the loose as of Sunday morning The scene was largely taped off with only officers and FBI agents piecing together what happened Interior of the Star Ballroom in Monterey Park, California where the shooting took place Saturday night Community members were out dancing and celebrating following a Lunar New Year celebration that had ended about an hour before the shooting Investigators gather at a scene where a shooting took place in Monterey Park on Saturday night Entrance to the Star Ballroom, where the shooting took place. Multiple investigators remain on the scene as morning arrived in Monterey Park Daytime aerial view of the dance hall where 10 people were shot dead Saturday night Police investigate a scene where a shooting took place as a festival concluded in California Dozens of police officers are responding to reports of a shooting on 22 January in California Armed officers were stationed outside an Asian store following the mass shooting on Saturday night Captain Andrew Meyer of the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department confirmed on Sunday the suspect was still at large. He said the wounded were taken to hospitals and their conditions range from stable to critical. Meyer said the 10 people died at the scene. Meyer said people were 'pouring out of the location screaming' when officers arrived on the scene. He said police then went into the dance ballroom as firefighters treated the wounded. The Sheriff's Deputy told City News Service: 'It is an isolated incident'. A motive has not been reported at this time. However, he noted that authorities are investigating 'every angle' to determine whether or not the shooting was racially motivated. Ten deaths and ten injuries makes it the joint fourth most deadly shooting in California's history. It also marks the fifth mass shooting in the US this month and the deadliest since 21 people were killed in a school in Uvalde, Texas. The deadliest shooting in California history was in 1984 when a gunman killed 21 people at a McDonald's restaurant in San Ysidro, near San Diego. The latest violence comes two months after five people were killed at a Colorado Springs nightclub. As daybreak arrived in the area surrounding the Star Ballroom, law enforcement vehicles remained abundant Firefighters were pictured helping the injured in a parking lot near the scene of the attack on Saturday night Two police officers stand guard near a scene where a shooting took place in Monterey Park Police gather at the scene near the intersection of Garvey and Garfield Avenue in Monterey Park The officers stand guard at the scene near the intersection of Garvey and Garfield Avenue Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Captain Andrew Meyer talks to reporters during a briefing in Monterey Park early Sunday morning This image shows the inside of the nightclub where the shots were fired and at least ten people were slain Investigators gather at a scene where a shooting took place in Monterey Park, California Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Capt. Andrew Meyer talks to reporters during a briefing in Monterey Park following the mass shooting at a dance club Saturday night The attack occurred at 10.22pm, roughly one hour after Chinese New Year celebrations had concluded nearby. Tens of thousands of people had attended the two-day festival earlier in the day, which is one of the largest in Southern California. Footage posted on social media showed deserted, cordoned-off streets guarded by police cars. Monterey Park is a city in Los Angeles county, around 7 miles (11 km) from downtown Los Angeles, with a population of about 60,000 people. Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia tweeted: 'Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones tonight in our neighboring city, Monterey Park, where a mass shooting just occurred. 'Monterey Park is home to one of the largest Asian communities in Los Angeles County and many were out celebrating the Lunar New Year.' According to demographic data, Monterey Park is home to an Asian majority population. About 65 percent of community residents are Asian. Early Sunday morning, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted that President Joe Biden has 'been briefed by the Homeland Security Advisor' on the shooting and 'directed her to make sure that the FBI is providing full support to local authorities, and tp update him regularly today as more details are known.' The FBI's Los Angeles Field Office has joined the sheriff's department and Monterey Park Police in the investigation. California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote Sunday morning: Monterey Park should have had a night of joyful celebration of the Lunar New year. Instead, they were the victims of a horrific and heartless act of gun violence. 'Our hearts mourn as we learn more about the devastating acts of last night. We are monitoring the situation closely.' Newly elected Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her condolences in a Sunday morning statement: 'Families deserve to celebrate the holidays in peace - mass shooting and gun violence are a plague in our communities' She added that investigators are working to determine whether the shooting was a manifestation of 'Asian hate,' and said that her 'heart goes out to Monterey Park and the families and friends of those lost.' New York Governor Kathy Hochul also weighed in Sunday morning, tweeting that she is 'heartbroken by the horrific shooting.' 'At what should be a time of Lunar New Year celebration, the scourge of gun violence has struck yet another community - we must put an end to these senseless tragedies,' she wrote. The interior of the Star Ballroom dance hall, where a gunman killed at least 10 people Saturday night Star Ballroom owner Maria Liang, who left a successful career in business to open the dance hall in 2013 The first shooting happened on the 100 block of West Garvey Avenue, which is where the Star ballroom dance studio is based (pictured) A second shooting, which cops were probing if it was related, happened at nearby Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra (pictured) Armed police held a large presence, including helicopters, after the Monterey Park shooting The Star Ballroom Dance Studio opened a decade ago and is owned by Maria Liang, a former banker for the East West Bank - a popular bank among the Chinese-American community. While in China, she worked for Nike and Australian energy company Norton Christensen. Though, it was her passion for dance that led her to open the Star Ballroom Dance Studio a decade ago. It has since become one of the most popular professionals ballroom studios in Southern California. As members of the Chinese-American community in Monterey Park celebrated the incoming year of the rabbit on Saturday night, they were expecting to embrace a coming year full of relaxation, quietness and contemplation - all concepts that are emblemized by the rabbit. The outgoing year of the Tiger was meant to be filled with positive and active thought, according to Chinese cosmological philosophy. But those celebrating the Year of the Rabbit suffered a rude awakening Saturday evening when the year broke out with a mass shooting. Dr. Hongling Liang, a lecturer at University of Glasgows School of Modern Languages and Culture told the BBC, 'The rabbit is a very gentle and clever animal. It may not be the strongest of the 12 animals, but its charm and speed attracts good qualities such as money, partnership and success.' According to Chinese tradition the year of the rabbit is meant to be 'calm and gentle, bringing an energy that will help those looking for more of a balanced life.' Temperatures will plunge to -8C overnight and 'freezing fog' will remain into next week amid a yellow weather warning as parts of the UK will wake to bitter frost. The Met Office has issued a warning covering most of England as commuters face below freezing temperatures on Monday morning. The forecaster has said that the freezing fog could become so thick that visibility could drop as low as 50 metres in some parts of England. The typical overnight temperature for England in January is around 2C, but this will fall as low as -8C overnight on Sunday and Monday. It in turn means the 'freezing fog' will take longer to clear, with warning to motorists likely to remain in place. A blaze of golden hues fill the skies above the Couple sculpture in Newbiggin, Northumberland, this morning A swimmer breaks ice covering the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park, which has frozen over amid falling temperatures Conditions in northern England, Scotland and Wales, meanwhile, will remain much milder and could reach highs of up to 11C this week - significantly higher than the average of around freezing for January. A spokesperson for the Met Office told MailOnline: 'On Sunday night, temperatures will get down to below freezing with -8C as a minimum temperature. Moving into Monday morning, the freezing fog will be slow to clear. 'Outside of this fog, there will be sunny skies in the morning but it will remain very cold. As the day develops, sunny spells will pick up from the east, turning cloudier. A youngster is taught how to skate as it has been for generations while other skaters enjoy the cold No saktes, no worries: A chair is used to push a youngster who doesn't have any skates Experienced skaters gather together and create a four-man-train as they have fun on the ice Local skaters are all wrapped up as they gather to enjoy the ice as temperatures plummet 'For northern parts and Scotland, there will be rain particularly in slopes and hilly areas. 'Broadly speaking, Tuesday will remain very similar with temperatures again falling overnight but remaining above typical in northern areas.' Temperatures are typically milder to the south and colder to the north of England and Scotland, but the current weather system is bucking that trend. Joggers run at Ranmore in Surrey as freezing weather continues to grip much of the south of England A runner stops to photograph stag grazing on the frozen grass in Richmond Park, south west London Heavy frost on the ground at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, one of many areas covered by the yellow weather warning The freezing fog pictured above Castle Rising in Norfolk on earlier today, which will be slow to clear over the coming days The 'freezing fog' will be slow to clear, with warning to motorists likely to remain in place. Pictured: Motorists brave morning fog on the A12 in Hackney, east London A man walks out in the countryside early this morning after a bitterly cold night in Dunsden, Oxfordshire A swimmer breaks ice covering the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park, which has frozen over following sub zero temperatures The typical overnight temperature for England in January is around 2C, but this will fall as low as -8C overnight on Sunday and Monday Temperatures in the south east of England reached nearly -10C overnight, with freezing conditions to remain over the coming days The Met Office has issued a warning covering most of England as commuters face below freezing temperatures on Monday morning This has been attributed to a change in wind direction in the north west. The Met Office's yellow weather warning for fog warns: 'Freezing fog will lead to difficult driving conditions and could cause travel delays in some areas on Saturday night and Sunday morning.' It adds that journey times by car and public transport are likely to be longer than usual, with surfaces likely to be more slippery than usual with a greater risk of injury. Fen-skaters make the most of the frozen flooded fields and the natural ice they create The change will see an Arctic blast that swept across the UK over the past five days giving way to warmer air from the Atlantic, but will take longer to reach southern areas. Meanwhile, Britons are bracing for a polar vortex February Freeze - having already battled the Troll from Trondheim in December and this weeks Nightmare from the North. The same phenomenon helped to cause 2018s Beast from the East and the month-long Big Freeze in December 2010. The Met Office said high-altitude polar vortex winds which spin around the North Pole and keep cold air trapped in the Arctic could fall significantly next week. A knock-on effect is a weaker jet stream, which usually brings our mild westerly Atlantic breezes, therefore opening the door to Arctic air plunging towards Britain, usually about two weeks later. Colder temperatures than this weeks -10C are a risk by mid-February, with the chance of snow again for many regions. There is even a 25 per cent chance of the polar vortex weakening so much that it triggers a rare phenomenon known as a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW), in which the North Poles high-altitude air suddenly warms up, possibly shunting an even fiercer mass of bitter low-level polar air towards the UK. An SSW would be the first since January 2021, when it caused Britains coldest temperature for 26 years, -23C in Aberdeenshire. The skirmish took place just hours before the famous Battle of Rorke's Drift Anglo-Zulu war reenactors dressed in historic military uniforms and traditional outfits have recreated the Battle of Isandlwana 140 years later. The infamous battle, the first clash of the war more than a century ago, saw 3,000 Zulu warriors killed and an entire British force wiped out on January 22, 1879. Zulu reenactors wore ceremonial animal hides, bone necklaces and brandished spears, while Britons wore the famous redcoats armed with rifles. At the foot of the Isandlwana hill, which gave its name to the epic battle, the sun shone over the rocky ground as a crowd of spectators including the Zulu king and dignitaries from the First Welsh Battalion. Amabutho Zulu regiments use a spear on a falling British soldier during the reenactment yesterday Amabutho Zulu regiments hold a British flag captured the recreation of the Battle of Isandlwana Around 20,000 Zulu warriors descended on a British garrison in South Africa's southeast KwaZulu-Natal province before hours of fierce and bloody hand-to-hand combat ensued. The Battle of Isandlwana is one of the most notable among several particularly bloody battles during the war. The reenactment is performed annually by the Amabutho and the Dundee Diehards, a reenactment volunteers team from Dundee. A smattering of English tourists watched the re-enactment, wearing colonial hats and walking shoes, and inspected stone memorials engraved with the names of Imperial soldiers who died 'for Queen and country'. Small mounds of white pebbles also mark the tombs of the fallen on the battlefield, which is now a protected heritage site. Simelane Velaphi, who played a Zulu warrior, said: 'That day, we defeated the British. That battle is a source of pride for Zulu people and that's how we built the Zulu nation.' This aerial view shows Amabutho Zulu regiments gathering ahead of the reenactment on Saturday The reenactment is performed annually by the Amabutho and the Dundee Diehards every year A member of the Amabutho Zulu regiments is hugged by a member of the Dundee Diehards at the end of the recreation Members of the Dundee Diehards volunteer group prepare themselves before the reenactment of the battle Around 20,000 Zulu warriors descended on a British garrison in South Africa's southeast KwaZulu-Natal province The Battle of Isandlwana is one of the most notable among several particularly bloody battles during the war A Dundee Diehards officer gives orders to a firing line preparing to shoot salvos at incoming Amabuthu Zulu regiments A member of the Amabutho Zulu regiments clashes with British soldiers during the reenactment Dundee Diehards fire salvos at incoming Amabuthu Zulu regiments as members of the public watch Member of the Amabutho Zulu regiments and of the Dundee Diehards pretend to be dead at the end of the battle British army officer John Murphy, a guest at the ceremony., added: 'The bravery of both sides must be honoured.' The Anglo-Zulu war lasted nearly six months between January and July 1879. In the midst of the Industrial Revolution, Britain needed raw materials and labour. The discovery of diamond mines in Kimberley but also gold and coal was coveted by the English colony in Cape Town. But a war broke out when the Zulu king Cetshwayo refused to cede to demands by the British High Commissioner, who then decided to invade the kingdom. But news of the crushing defeat of the British army at Isandlwana, the backbone of an empire that spanned the globe, caused shockwaves throughout Europe. The Zulu warriors used the techniques of earlier influential monarch Shaka, a military genius who established the 'ox head' tactic which was deployed on the day of the battle. Members of the Dundee Diehards rehearse the handling of a rifle before the reenactment yesterday Amabutho Zulu regiments march towards the battlefield at the start of the reenactment on Saturday A war broke out when the Zulu king Cetshwayo refused to cede to demands by the British High Commissioner A member of the Amabutho Zulu regiments is congratulated by a member of the Dundee Diehards at the end of the battle Zulu reenactors wore ceremonial animal hides, bone necklaces and brandished spears for the recreation Members of the Amabutho Zulu regiments parade before the reenactment of the famous battle The infamous battle, the first clash of the war more than a century ago, saw 3,000 Zulu warriors killed and an entire British force wiped out Members of the Dundee Diehards get ready to take part in the reenactment on Saturday The British were stormed from the flanks, before being finished off in a dazzling frontal attack. But despite being Victorian Britain's worst military defeat, the battle of Rorke's Drift on the same day proved far more successful for British troops. This later battle was turned into the 1964 film Zulu, starring Michael Caine. At Rorke's drift, 150 British and colonial troops repelled an assault by between 3,000 and 4,000 Zulu warriors. JK Rowling has slammed a trans rights activist who 'fantasised about the brutal deaths' of gender-critical feminists planning on attending a rally. The Tweets, from the now deactivated account, described a car hitting activists attending the rally and watching them 'exploding like bin bags full of baked beans' on a windshield. It appeared to threaten those planning on attending the Glasgow Let Women Speak Rally, organised by Kellie-Jay Keen's campaign group Standing for Women. Ms Keen, who is also known as Posie Parker, campaigns for sex-based rights and the protections of the word 'women'. JK Rowling has spoken out after a man who appeared to threaten to hit women's rights activists with a car watching them 'exploding like being bags full of baked beans'. Pictured: The author responding to the Tweet from the now deleted Twitter account @sky_traffic The rally, due to take place on Glasgow Green on February 5, was organised as a response to the Scottish Government's attempt to push through the controversial Gender Recognition Reform bill. The Tweets from the account @sky_traffic, read: 'I sure would hate it if someone took their car to Glasgow Green on the 5th of February and hit p*sie p*rker and her friends with their car. 'What an awful thing that would be, that I would hate. Me watching the country's leading defenders of women and girls exploding like bin bags full of baked beans on your windshield: oh no!' One of the Tweets took aim at gender critical feminist Kellie-Jay Keen, also known as Posie Parker, who is behind the campaign group Standing For Women The threatening words sparked outrage online, with activists calling it 'sickening' and 'dangerous', while others called for the police to get involved. Ms Rowling, who has been an outspoken advocate for women's rights, including the need to protect single-sex spaces, was quick to respond to the Tweets. She said: 'Weird, isnt it, but I struggle to remember any other progressive movement that attracted so many men who love fantasising about the brutal deaths of women.' She went on to add that the man was a 'brave boy' who had 'been publicly advocating for a car to be driven into Posie Parker's rally. Public backlash against the author began in March 2018 when she was criticised for liking a tweet that referred to trans women as 'men in dresses'. Days later, in an online essay, Rowling wrote that her interest in trans issues originated from being a survivor of abuse and having concerns around single-sex spaces. The Harry Potter author has been an outspoken advocate for women's rights, including the need to protect single-sex spaces Despite the continual criticism over the last three years she insisted she does not feel 'cancelled' and went on to announce she would fund a new women-only service for victims of sexual assault. The writer has previously that she has faced death and rape threats because of her opinions on transgender issues, including the controversial Gender Recognition Reform bill. If passed, the bill would lower the age for applications for a gender recognition certificate to 16, removing the need for a medical diagnosis of dysphoria. But earlier this week the UK Government vetoed Nicola Sturgeon's plans to overhaul gender recognition laws, with a former supreme court judge saying the chances of it being overturned are extremely low. Ms Duffield, who has been campaigning alongside Ms Rowling for the protection of female-only spaces, was heckled by her own party last week after declaring she supported Westminster's move to block the bill from passing. A spokesperson for Police Scotland told MailOnline: 'We can confirm that we have received a report of online threats being made. 'Officers are carrying out enquiries.' A 17-year-old boy has been charged with murder after a man was allegedly stabbed to death near his Brisbane home. The 43-year-old Wilston man, who is yet to be formally identified, was discovered on Newmarket Road in Wilston before 1.50am on Sunday morning. Paramedics were called but he was unable to be revived. Police have since charged a 17-year-old Burpengary boy has with the man's murder. He was denied bail and will appear in Brisbane Children's Court at a later date. Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham (pictured) is calling for anyone who might have CCTV or dashcam footage from the Wilston area between 11pm and 2am to come forward Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said investigations are continuing into the man's death after he was allegedly stabbed in a 'cowardly attack' metres from his home in Brisbane's inner north. Police believe the 43-year-old was involved in a disagreement before his death, 'Our preliminary investigations (lead us to believe) that the deceased was in some altercations with persons prior to his death,' Det Supt Massingham told reporters on Sunday. 'It's important we identify those persons.' He said the circumstances surrounding the man's death 'are not clear'. 'Whether it was a robbery or whether it was a disagreement in relation to something else, we simply don't know,' Det Supt Massingham said. He said police had been patrolling the area around 12.15am the same morning when they noticed the 17-year-old boy running along Newmarket Road. He said after speaking with the teenager, police discovered he was carrying a 45cm knife, the size of a 'small machete'. The teenager's 17-year-old girlfriend then appeared at the scene. Police discovered the boy was carrying a 45cm knife, the size of a 'small machete'. Pictured is a stock image of a large knife 'The female became aggressive towards police and she was arrested after she assaulted one of the male officers at the scene,' Det Supt Massingham said. The girl was charged with assaulting a police officer and will appear before Brisbane Children's Court at a later date. Police have not laid any charges against the teenage girl in relation to the alleged murder. Det Supt Massingham appealed to the public for anyone who might have CCTV or dashcam footage from the Wilston area between 11pm and 2am. 'There was a lot of traffic on Newmarket Road, despite it being after midnight there was a lot of events on in Brisbane last night,' he said. This is the shocking moment a mass brawl erupted 'between football fans' outside a Wetherspoons in Liverpool - with men throwing punches and bottles being hurled after Chelsea's goalless draw at Anfield. Three men were arrested after the scrap broke out outside The Thomas Frost on Walton Road, Kirkdale, yesterday afternoon at around 3pm - one hour after the match between Chelsea and Liverpool. Social media users claimed the fight blew up between rival fans clashing with each other - as video footage shows glass bottles being thrown while a distressed woman is heard shouting 'get out, get out'. One man can be seen lying on the ground in front of moving traffic as others throw kicks and punches at him. A mass brawl involving broken glass erupted outside a Wetherspoons pub in Liverpool yesterday Another man in a grey hoodie can be seen throwing an aggressive punch directly into another person's face. Empty beer bottles, cans and plastic cups litter the pavement outside the pub and an Iceland supermarket. Merseyside Police confirmed officers were called to a fight at The Thomas Frost Wetherspoons yesterday afternoon. They said no injuries were reported but three men - aged 22, 33, and 55 - were arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in a public place. One man in a grey hoodie can be seen throwing an aggressive punch directly into another person's face The explosive fight happened outside The Thomas Frost on Walton Road, Kirkdale yesterday afternoon Merseyside Police said in a statement last night: 'Three men have been arrested following a disturbance in Walton this afternoon, Saturday 21 January. 'Just after 3pm, officers were called to an altercation at The Thomas Frost pub on Walton Road. No injuries were reported. 'Three men, aged 22, 33 and 55, were arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in a public place.' It comes after another mass brawl, which saw a large group of men attacking each other before one pulled out a large knife, broke out in a McDonald's in Hackney, London, on Friday. MailOnline has contacted Wetherspoons for comment. This is the Aussie airline's fifth turnback in the past week A Qantas flight to Sydney has returned to Fiji as a precaution after pilots received a report of fumes in the cabin - days after a service from Auckland issued a mayday following an engine shutdown. The incident, on Sunday evening, is the airline's fifth turnback in the past week. Pilots on the Boeing 737 aircraft flight QF102 from Nadi, in Fiji, to Sydney requested a priority - not emergency - landing on Sunday and the aircraft landed normally. Early indications were the fumes related to the oven in the aircraft galley. Pilots on the Boeing 737 aircraft flight QF102 from Nadi, in Fiji, to Sydney requested a priority - not emergency - landing on Sunday and the aircraft landed normally (pictured) They dissipated quickly and no one was impacted. Engineers will assess the aircraft. Qantas was working to accommodate customers as quickly as possible and thanked them for their patience. The incident follows a similar event last week. On Thursday, Qantas said QF101, a Boeing 737 bound for Nadi, returned to Sydney after an onboard 'fault indicator' about a possible mechanical issue. A Qantas representative told AAP the pilots followed standard procedures and the aircraft landed normally in Sydney. The plane returned without emergency or priority landing and the fault indicator did not relate to an engine issue, Qantas said. The turnback (pictured) was initiated after an onboard 'fault indicator' about a possible mechanical issue, and is the airline's turnback fifth this week Three Qantas flights were also diverted on Friday - a QantasLink service from Melbourne to Canberra; a Boeing 737-800 from Melbourne to Sydney; and a flight from Adelaide to Melbourne. On Wednesday, the pilot of QF144 - a Boeing 737 - from Auckland to Sydney shut down an engine and made a mayday call over the Pacific Ocean before landing safely at Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport about 3.30pm. Transport safety investigators confirmed they would analyse QF144's cockpit voice recorder and flight data after the engine failure. Qantas said all 145 passengers disembarked normally and shutdowns were rare, with pilots trained to manage them safely. Qantas flight QF102 from Nadi, Fiji to Sydney turned around after receiving a report of fumes in the cabin (stock image) The Qantas Group averages about 60 air turnbacks per year from more than 10,000 across the total industry. Qantas domestic chief executive Andrew David has stressed mechanical issues are common across the complicated industry, and individual faults must be looked at in context. 'Aircraft are complex pieces of machinery with millions of moving parts, and it's not uncommon to have a problem with one of them', he said. 'What's important to know is that aircraft are designed with that in mind and have a lot of built-in redundancy, and our crew are trained to deal with those situations so that they can land safely.' The Civil Aviation Safety Authority said on Friday it was confident Qantas was operating safely and has confidence in its safety management systems. A paranoid conspiracy theorist who had just gunned down two young police officers sent his 'daughter' one final deranged text while holed up in his remote shack surrounded by elite specialist cops. Madelyn Train received the message from Gareth Train on December 12, unaware that he was in the depths of a six-hour long siege at Wieambilla, in country Queensland, which began with bloody gunfire and would end the same way. An unhinged Gareth wrote that 'Vanessa sent people to kill us', referring to the estranged second wife of his brother Nathaniel. Vanessa had made the missing persons report that brought police to the remote property on a routine welfare check. Nathaniel and his first wife Stacey were alongside Gareth in the siege. The trio were involved in a bizarre love triangle with Stacey having divorced Nathaniel and going on to marry Gareth. Gareth and Stacey (pictured) married after she divorced Nathaniel with Madelyn saying she grew up considering him as her father Gareth sent an unhinged text message to Madelyn during the siege A distraught Madelyn, now in her 20s, broke her silence on Sunday night in a television interview, revealing that she was agedjust three when her biological parents divorced - and that she had always considered Gareth her father. In defending the strange relationship between her parents and uncle, she said that she 'grew up in a really healthy, happy family environment (and) the only reason it was unusual is literally people's interpretation of it.' Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train gunned down police constables Rachel McCrow, 29, and Matthew Arnold, 26, as the officers exited their patrol car and walked up the driveway to the property. Two other constables barely managed to escape the barrage of bullets, while neighbour Alan Dare, 58, was shot in the back as he ventured closer to investigate the gunshots and a grass fire. Madelyn Train denied claims that the trio were meth users despite widespread reports from locals and said she did not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor. 'I'd say they were influenced by fear, by whatever was happening and them not understanding,' she told 9News. Maddy said her mother 'hated guns' (pictured as a child with her younger brother and Stacey) Days before the deadly ambush, Stacey Train admitted she had lost contact with her children (Maddy pictured) 'Gary would often think he was in a military scenario because he wanted to join the military, he'd read lots of military books,' she said. Madelyn declared the trio were the 'gentlest' people she knew. 'I mourn six people. I mourn my family, I mourn the police officers, and I mourn the neighbour,' she said. 'I have developed acute traumatic stress disorder from it. 'Because grieving three of your family members is hard enough but then finding out what they did and then seeing everyone's reaction to what they did. 'They (Nathaniel and Gareth) were both shot dead. And then mum was trying to get out the back. 'They said she was armed but mum didn't like guns so I don't know what she was armed with, but the police said it was a gun and I trust the police.' The Trains had spent years fortifying the wooden home into a makeshift bunker to try to fend off an assault by police, which they had long anticipated. They even set up elaborate defences, lived off the grid and installed solar panels and satellite dishes, as well as rainwater and septic tanks. The trio were eventually shot dead in the late night showdown with officers from Queensland Police's Special Emergency Response Team - a crack team of specially trained cops kitted out with tactical gear and high-powered weapons. Madelyn said Gareth has always believed in conspiracy theories but his delusions went up a notch during the Covid pandemic. 'It's like he was doing this weird project on Covid and the end of the world,' she said. He began feverishly posting his skewed views on conspiracy websites and forums. Gareth on several occasions claimed online that the 1996 Port Arthur massacre was a military operation and that Princess Diana was killed as a 'blood sacrifice'. Madelyn Train (pictured) the devastated daughter and step-daughter of Wieambilla cop ambush perpetrators Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train Former school groundsman Gareth Train (left) lived at the Wieambilla home with his former school principal wife Stacey Train. She had previously been married to Gareth's brother Nathaniel, also a former school principal (pictured above with Stacey on their wedding day) She said her mother grew more isolated when she lost her job at Tara State College for refusing to get a Covid vaccine. She said Nathaniel suffered a heart attack which affected his short term memory and caused him to get increasingly erratic. Madelyn added that despite being linked to the tragedy, she would not change her name. 'My name is not a secret, I have never done anything wrong,' she said. Stacey and Gareth Train posted a chilling YouTube video three hours before they were killed in the Wieambilla shootout Boris Johnson is seen signig his name on an anti-armour weapon as he makes a surprise visit to the country nearly a year after it was invaded by Russia. As the former Prime Minister was guided tour of a battered Kyiv suburb on Sunday morning he was offered the opportunity to demonstrate his solidarity by signing an Nlaw anti-tank weapon. The weapon pictured alongside Mr Johnson has become essential for Ukraine's armed forces as they are easily transported and are straightforward to use. The 58-year-old, who has been a keen supporter of Ukraine called on Saturday for the world to 'double down' on its support for the country and its president, Volodymyr Zelenksy. Johnson was pictured signing his name on an anti-tank weapon in Ukraine to demonstrate his solidarity for the country The former Prime Minister was guided around the wreckage from Russian attacks on the capital It comes as tensions continue to rise over the supply of weapons from Nato countries to the war-torn country, as Germany refuses to send modern tanks to aid them in the conflict. During his time as Prime Minister he was a vocal supporter of the country and made frequent trips to show the UK's support for it after Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion in February last year. This was followed by his visit to the town of Borodianka outside Kyiv today, which came under heavy bombardment from Russian forces in the early weeks of the war. Mr Johnson remarked it was 'incredible' how the people were trying to get 'everything back to normal again'. Mr Johnson said he was invited by President Volodymyr Zelensky. In a statement, the former prime minister said: 'It is a privilege to visit Ukraine at the invitation of President Zelensky. 'The suffering of the people of Ukraine has gone on for too long. 'The only way to end this war is for Ukraine to win - and to win as fast as possible. This is the moment to double down and to give the Ukrainians all the tools they need to finish the job. 'The sooner Putin fails, the better for Ukraine and for the whole world.' Despite no longer being in the post, his support does not seem to have wavered, as he rallied support at a meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Saturday. In a series of tweets he wrote: 'Thank you Victor Pinchuk Foundation for hosting the Ukrainian Breakfast at Davos. 'The session demonstrated the unity across nations that Ukraine must and will win. 'We must ensure Volodymyr Zelensky has the tools he needs to finish the job. This is the moment to double down. 'It was heart-wrenching to tour Ukraine House and see the impact of the war. We stand with you now and as Ukraine rebuilds as a strong, independent and free nation. Slava Ukraini!' Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to a battered suburb of Kyiv on Sunday in a show of support for the war-torn country Boris Johnson looks at a statue in the war-torn wreckage of Borodianka, outside Kyiv earlier today Thank you @PinchukFund for hosting the Ukrainian Breakfast at Davos. The session demonstrated the unity across nations that Ukraine must and will win. We must ensure @ZelenskyyUa has the tools he needs to finish the job. This is the moment to double down. pic.twitter.com/9L6qSJtnI0 Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 21, 2023 It was heart-wrenching to tour Ukraine House and see the impact of the war. We stand with you now and as Ukraine rebuilds as a strong, independent and free nation. Slava Ukraini! Photographs provided by Victor Pinchuk Foundation 2023. Photographed by Valentyna Rostovikova Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 21, 2023 Rishi Sunak is 'supportive' of Boris Johnson's visit to Ukraine, Downing Street has said. The Prime Minister's press secretary said he is 'always supportive of all colleagues showing that the UK is behind Ukraine and will continue to support them'. It comes as the row over the provision of tanks for Ukraine from Nato countries continues to deepen. Today the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, claimed he would like 'nothing more' than to see Ukrainians armed with German-made Leopard 2 tanks. He was asked on the BBC Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme whether he was disappointed Germany did not authorise the release of its Leopard 2 battle tanks. Mr Cleverly refused to directly criticise Berlin, stressing that, ultimately, it is for 'every sovereign government to decide how they are best able to support the Ukrainians as a member of Nato'. However, he noted there is nothing he would like more than to see the Ukrainians equipped 'with those most up-to-date armoured vehicles'. He said: 'Over Christmas and in the new year, I had conversations with the Defence Secretary, with the Prime Minister, other senior members of Government, about our posture with regard to Ukraine. 'The Prime Minister decided quite rightly that the most humane thing to do is to bring this war to a swift conclusion and for the Ukrainians to be successful in the defence of the homeland. 'That is why we made the commitment to significantly increase our military support to Ukraine, to help them defend themselves, including with Challenger 2 tanks. 'I would like nothing more than to see the Ukrainians equipped with those most up-to-date armoured vehicles, both tanks and artillery, and others. The Leopard 2 is an incredibly effective piece of military equipment. I would like nothing more than to see the Ukrainians armed with Leopard 2.' He said that Germany has been a 'huge contributor' and that he does not think we 'should ignore that', adding: 'Both in terms of its hosting of refugees, in terms of its provision of military equipment, economic aid, and also in terms of its application of sanctions. Members of the military walk on a tank in Slovakia as Germany delivers its first Leopard tanks to the country. There has been anger at Germany's refusal to give the same tanks to war-torn Ukraine 'Ultimately, it's for every sovereign government to decide how they are best able to support the Ukrainians as a member of Nato.' His comments come after a pledging conference in Germany on Friday ended without a commitment by Western allies to send more battle tanks to Ukraine, despite a call from President Volodymyr Zelensky to speed up the delivery of military support in his country's struggle against Russia. So far among the Nato allies, only the UK has agreed to send tanks, in the form of 14 British Army Challenger 2s. There had been hopes that Germany would authorise the release of its battle tanks, which are potentially available in far greater numbers, but at the conclusion of the meeting at the US airbase in Ramstein, Germany, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said: 'I don't have any announcements to make on M1s (US Abrams tanks), and you heard the German minister of defence say that they've not made a decision on Leopards.' He said officials were 'pushing hard to meet Ukraine's requirements for tanks and other armoured vehicles'. Mahen Seeruttun a pris la parole lors de la ceremonie protocolaire du lancement de la Tax Series 2023 par le Financial Services Institute et Andersen au Hennessy Park Hotel le 18 janvier 2023. Ladies and Gentlemen,A very good morning to all of you. I would wish to start by conveying warm wishes for the year to all of you. In fact, we closed 2022 on high notes of Confidence and Positivity learning to build back stronger and more resilient from a sanitary crisis. Indeed, a pandemic like no other is leading to a recovery like no other. I have every hope that we have entered a new year of Optimism and Opportunity for all. So, it is an honour for me to be here among you and start the year with the launch of a Tax Literacy Series. This initiative brings together the Financial Services Institute from my Ministry and Andersen (Mauritius) in a Public-Private collaboration aimed at enhancing the Understanding, Practical Application and Compliance of relevant local and international laws relating to taxation. I believe this Public-Private proposition with its year-long calendar of literacy events is the first of its kind aimed at minimising tax complexity and raising the level of taxpayer awareness and compliance. To maintain our good standing with international standard setters such as the OECD and the EU, it is our duty to inculcate such a culture of adherence to local and international tax laws that puts us at par with other established and reputed IFCs. Amidst the committed efforts of this Government to minimise tax evasion and avoidance, I find the need for specialist training in the field of taxation as important as training in AML/CFT, fund management or wealth management, and I welcome this Tax Series as a new chapter in our Training Calendar. I feel comforted, Ladies and Gentlemen, by the very good turnout this morning which demonstrates your keen interest in this initiative. One of the priority areas for the Financial Services Sector this year is talent development to ensure that we have the skills required to meet the needs of the future. I am a strong advocate of continuous learning and believe in financial education as central to overall economic prosperity. We are putting in place a suite of courses and training programmes aimed at building on the strengths of our people. Ultimately, Ladies and Gentlemen, such education campaigns will help forge the Compliance Culture and Attitude we want to see in our people. This training is a must for all organisations which shoulder the responsibility of advising their clients on tax planning and administration. Ladies and Gentlemen Mauritius has a very generous double taxation relief system where foreign tax credits are not subject to a limitation and can be offset against other taxable foreign income. Our country has concluded tax treaties with 45 countries, and is party to a series of treaties under negotiation. It is imperative for our operators to master this aspect of taxation to better advise and attract foreign investors. The Tax Series 2023 aims to demystify complex issues in our tax administration system and will provide invaluable insights from the perspectives of the Regulator as well as Tax experts. Every international financial centre needs a strong team of tax professionals and advisors, who master the tax administration system and hold the expertise in navigating the tax administration system for and on behalf of clients and investors. My Ministry aims to consolidate the competitiveness of our International Financial Centre through the introduction of capacity building programmes like the one you are about to attend today, and through the rest of the tax series. Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, I take the opportunity to thank the organisers of this Tax Series for a successful collaboration and I thank, in particular, Mr Ben Lim and Mr Fazeel Soyfoo for taking time amidst their busy schedules to share their experience setting the stage for more meaningful and impactful societal change and economic development. It is my earnest wish to see this Tax Series become a recurring feature of the national training calendar. I also take the opportunity to commend the Mauritius Revenue Authority for their laudable efforts in modernising the countrys tax administration system. Mauritius stands proud with a modern and responsive tax authority. I would like to mention new initiatives introduced by the Authority to bolster business facilitation and foreign investment. The efforts of the MRA over the years have resulted in the remarkable score achieved by Mauritius, which has jumped to the 5th position in the World Banks Ease of Paying Taxes Index. We should not forget the instrumental role played by the MRA by stepping in the shoes of employers allowing their workforce to continue to earn their living through the Wage Assistance Schemes. Yesterday itself I chaired the first meeting of the Financial Services Consultative Council of the year where among the many discussions, stakeholders have underscored the proactiveness of the MRA including its responsiveness to the various commitments provided by Mauritius to organisations such as the OECD. I also take the occasion to also thank the Mauritius Finance for being a trusted and reliable voice of the association and continued support in such initiatives aimed at the benefit of its members. On this note, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to launch the inaugural session of the Tax Series 2023. I wish you a productive Year 2023 and I thank you all for your presence and kind attention this morning. A bloke with a mullet and a snake around his neck has amused TV viewers with his bizarre casual chat to a reporter after his mate was shot. Josh Ellul-Kerr, who dressed in a black hoodie and large-framed sunglasses, was interviewed after the non-fatal shooting of his friend, 19, in Adelaide's Kurralta Park on Saturday night. When asked on Sunday what had happened, Mr Ellul-Kerr explained to the reporter he was told to come home by a mate and that 'cops were everywhere'. 'I rocked up about 10 minutes later and the cops didn't tell me anything,' he told Nine News. 'I didn't even know he got shot.' Jake Ellul-Kerr (pictured) was interviewed about his mate who had been shot, but viewers were more focused on the snake around his neck 'I got home and got told 'your mate's just been shot'... I didn't believe it.' While Mr Ellul-Kerr was being interviewed, the snake slithered around his shoulders and neck - at one point, even copping a bump in the head from it's owners beard. 'Good bloke, lovely heart', Mr Ellul-Kerr described his friend. 'It's just... why would he get shot?' 'I don't understand it. He's a good kid', he told the reporter. 'He's the most least violent person I've ever seen.' When asked what he hoped to see cops do to those responsible for the shooting, Mr Ellul-Kerr said he wasn't sure. 'It's not my place to say. Hopefully something happens,' he responded. 'I just hope he's alright, because he's, like, 19 - hasn't even been in a fist fight. And then he got shot'. The 19-year-old man was shot in the abdomen and was taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital with non-life threatening injuries He was found on his Warwick Avenue apartment balcony around 2.30am on Saturday morning One viewer joked about his namesake, posting online: 'Jake the snake live from the scene!!' The injured man was located by police on his balcony in a Warwick Ave apartment block about 2.30am on Sunday, before being treated by paramedics and taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital with a non-life threatening injury. Police are still searching for the offender and the weapon, and the attack is not believed to be random. It was South Australia's third shooting in just six days amid concerns about gun violence. Government Minister Tom Koutsantonis told 9News the incidents were 'concerning'. 'Any shooting is a concern. Any gun violence is a concern. Access to the these guns is a concern,' he said. Rattled Nicola Sturgeon slammed Westminster's 'outrageous' move to block her gender identity rules today as she was accused of using the row to further her separatist ambitions. The SNP leader used a BBC interview to complain that ministers had not provided any 'compelling' reasons for blocking the controversial law passed by Holyrood. She also denied rumours that she is close to quitting after nearly nine years in post and recent setbacks. The comments came as former Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption said the SNP was trying to 'provoke constitutional rows, which they hope will boost support for independence'. He accused the Scottish Government of 'froth and rage' on the issue, as he warned any legal challenge to Westminster's use of Section 35 powers to stop the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill would fail unless Scottish ministers address the 'serious legal and practical problems' in the legislation. Nicola Sturgeon slammed Westminster's 'outrageous' move to block her gender identity rules today as she was accused of using the row to further her separatist ambitions Protests against the gender identity law outside the Scottish Parliament earlier this month Sturgeon 'nowhere near' ready to quit Nicola Sturgeon has said she is 'nowhere near' ready to quit as Scotland's First Minister adding she still hopes to lead the country to independence. The SNP leader has been in the post since November 2014, with her predecessor Alex Salmond stepping down after Scots voted to stay in the UK in September of that year. Speaking on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, Ms Sturgeon insisted she has 'plenty in the tank'. Her comments came after New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern dramatically resigned her post this week, explaining she no longer had 'enough in the tank' to fulfil the demanding role. Speaking about Ms Ardern, Ms Sturgeon said: 'If I ever reach the point which she has clearly reached, where I just think overall I can't give the job everything it deserves, then I hope I have the same courage she has had in saying 'Okay, this is the point to go'. 'But just for the avoidance of all doubt, I don't feel anywhere near that right now, nowhere near.' Ms Sturgeon also told the programme she would 'like to think' she will be the leader who takes Scotland out of the UK. Advertisement Polling for the Scottish Mail on Sunday today underlined the social divide over the SNP's gender proposals. The legislation would cut the age limit for changing gender from 18 to 16, remove the need for a medical diagnosis and shorten to three months the time a person must live in their 'acquired' gender before applying for a formal change. But the Deltapoll research showed more than three quarters of Brits believe the minimum age should be 18 or higher. Among those who said people should have the right to change gender, a majority - 58 per cent - thought an official medical diagnosis should be necessary. Appearing on the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Ms Sturgeon accepted that legal opinion is 'divided', but insisted it is wrong to say the Bill impacts on equalities legislation in the UK. The First Minister said: 'I have not heard any argument about the impact on the Equality Act that I find in any way persuasive or compelling, because the Act does not change the legal effect of a gender recognition certificate.' She defended the Bill lowering the age at which a trans person can obtain a certificate from 18 to 16, saying there would be 'greater advice and support available to what would be a tiny number of people of that age group wanting to go through this process'. She also dismissed the concern of some women's rights groups who fear the changes could help men gain access to women-only spaces. Ms Sturgeon said: 'You don't have to show your birth certificate to access women-only spaces. So this Bill does not give a predatory man any more ability to abuse women than that predatory man already has.' She said differences in policy between Holyrood and Westminster had only arisen because ministers in London ditched their plans to reform gender recognition. Ms Sturgeon said: 'When we first put forward this proposal, the UK Government had exactly the same plans, under Theresa May the UK government was planning to do exactly the same.' But she said by blocking the Bill which was passed by Holyrood in December Scottish Secretary Alister Jack was 'exercising some kind of government general-like power to block a democratic decision'. Hitting out at the UK Government, she added: 'They did not raise these concerns with us directly during the process of this Bill, they wait till after the Parliament has passed it and they exercise not something to take it to court but a veto. It is outrageous.' She claimed the UK Government's decision had 'nothing to do with concerns about the Equality Act', and accused Conservative politicians of 'trying to stoke a culture war' on the issue 'because they somehow think that plays well with their base ahead of a general election'. She also said the move was part of 'a pattern of undermining and delegitimising' from the Tory administration in London. Lord Sumption, however, said 'the suggestion that the UK Government's veto is an attack on Scottish democracy is absurd'. Writing in Sunday Times, he said: 'If the Bill becomes law, some UK citizens will have a different legal gender in different parts of the UK, depending on where they happen to be. 'This poses serious legal and practical problems for employers and public authorities operating on a UK-wide basis. 'They will have to discriminate between trans people in Scotland and the rest of the UK on such matters as equal pay, gender discrimination, tax, benefits and pensions, all of which are subject to UK-wide statutory regimes.' He insisted 'these are powerful points', which if left unanswered by Scottish ministers could cause any judicial review over the use of Section 35 to fail. The former barrister added: 'For some years Scottish ministers have been promoting Bills in Edinburgh designed to throw grit into the working of the union in the few areas where there is scope for disagreement. 'The strategy is to nibble away at the matters reserved to Westminster in order to provoke constitutional rows, which they hope will boost support for independence.' Ms Sturgeon said she is 'nowhere near' ready to quit as Scotland's First Minister adding she still hopes to lead the country to independence. The SNP leader has been in the post since November 2014, with her predecessor Alex Salmond stepping down after Scots voted to stay in the UK in September of that year. Ms Sturgeon insisted she has 'plenty in the tank'. Her comments came after New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern dramatically resigned her post this week, explaining she no longer had 'enough in the tank' to fulfil the demanding role. Speaking about Ms Ardern, Ms Sturgeon said: 'If I ever reach the point which she has clearly reached, where I just think overall I can't give the job everything it deserves, then I hope I have the same courage she has had in saying 'Okay, this is the point to go'. 'But just for the avoidance of all doubt, I don't feel anywhere near that right now, nowhere near.' Ms Sturgeon also told the programme she would 'like to think' she will be the leader who takes Scotland out of the UK. One local mother said she felt her house shake at 2am and saw fire outside Households miraculously escaped a suspected gas explosion as no one was injured in a huge blast which rocked a street and forced residents to seek sanctuary in a parish church. Those impacted said it was 'like a scene from the Blitz' as 999 workers cleared the wreckage from the blast in Goole, East Yorkshire, early this morning. Families were ordered to leave their homes on Marlborough Avenue as police, firemen and gas workers sealed off the area. A gas explosion rocked a street in Goole, East Yorkshire and forced residents to seek sanctuary in a parish church in the early hours of this morning The blast ripped through one of the houses, leaving a gaping hole and a collapsed roof in the terrace The whole street was closed after the explosion ripped through one of the houses, leaving a gaping hole and a collapsed roof in the terraced home where the blast blew out. One person who was there said: 'The whole street was evacuated to nearby church. A Single bloke lived in property.' One local mother, Lidija Jeremejeva, said: 'Around 2am I heard a noise and felt like our house shook. 'I went to check on my daughter and saw outside of her window a fire in a neighbor's house across of street and that the wall of the second floor fell. Those impacted said it was 'like a scene from the Blitz' as 999 workers cleared the wreckage from the blast The whole street was closed after the explosion ripped through one of the houses 'Others are already called firefighters. In the next 15 minutes (maybe less) the fire took the overall roof. 'Later on, everyone was told there is a gas explosion and we have to evacuate to church.' 'I was told there are no victims. The emergency services left around 8 am. Right now everyone is gone except the workers who cleaned the ruins and the police control blocking half of the street from the roundabout to the middle of the street.' MailOnline has contacted Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and Humberside Police for information on the cause of the explosion. Advertisement A dangerous 'tranq' substance responsible for Zombieland scenes in Philadelphia could be on its way to the streets of the UK as drug dealers try to cut costs. Ian Hamilton, an associate professor of addiction at the University of York, said the cost-of-living crisis could mean that dealers 'bulk out' heroin in the UK with Xylazine, a harmful substance. Xylazine, which is also known as 'tranq', was originally developed as an animal tranquiliser in the 1960s but is now offering mercenary drug dealers a chance to improve their margins. Shocking images from the US show addicts shooting up in broad daylight and passed out in the streets as a result of their drug usage. Drug users shoot up in broad daylight on the streets of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. Experts have expressed serious concerns about the use of Xylazine A man with a gaping wound on his arm sits slumped on the street. Xylazine frequently causes wounds that require amputation and can worsen withdrawal symptoms Mr Hamilton said there wasn't UK data on the presence of the tranquiliser in the drug market but that it was the right time for the substance to be available to addicts. He told MailOnline: There is no UK data on this but that's not to say that Xylazine isn't being cut with heroin. In some ways the time is right for this to happen due to the cost of living crisis so it could be that dealers are responding to market conditions and trying to make heroin better value for money by bulking it out with Xylazine. There is broader concern about sedative drugs like benzodiazepines in Scotland where there has been a significant rise in use and deaths associated with their use. His comments come after exclusive pictures of the Kensington neighbourhood in Philadelphia - known as 'ground zero' for the city's drug epidemic - showed the devastating effect of the drugs. The associate professor said it was possible that the dangerous substance was already being sold on UK streets Addicts are shooting up in broad daylight, hunched over in a stupor or passed out on the streets. Many have raw, gaping wounds in desperate need of medical attention. And there are needles, syringes and garbage littered across the sidewalks. 'I've never seen human beings remain in these kinds of conditions,' said Sarah Laurel, who runs outreach organization Savage Sisters. Here, photographs obtained by Dailymail.com lay bare the shocking scale of devastation in the inner city area - described by The Philadelphia Inquirer as 'the poorest neighbourhood in America's poorest big city' - which is being ravaged by the newly popular and dangerous drug. The city's drug use and violence has run rampant under woke District Attorney Larry Krasner whose failure to prosecute minor crimes and bail request policies have come with an uptick in crime in the city of brotherly love. Republicans in the Pennsylvania state Senate voted for his impeachment over what they deem a dereliction of duty. The future of the progressive prosecutor remains unclear, as the party line vote was indefinitely postponed earlier this month. Xylazine leaves users in a blackout stupor, making them vulnerable to violent attacks and rape. An associate professor of mental health and addiction at the University of York said it could be on its way to streets in the UK The inner city district has long been a magnet for drug users seeking their next high, but the scale of problems caused by xylazine is shocking even to locals who have become accustomed to such distressing scenes Kensington, which up until the 1950s was a bustling industrial district, is now described by The Philadelphia Inquirer as 'the poorest neighbourhood in America's poorest big city' The above map shows the percentage change in drug overdose deaths by state across the US. Each has seen a rise except for Hawaii. In Oklahoma deaths did not increase or decrease compared to previous years The above graph shows the CDC estimates for the number of deaths triggered by drug overdoses every year across the United States. It reveals figures have now reached a record high, and are surging on the last three years The above graph shows the cumulative annual figure for the number of drug overdose deaths reported in the US by month. It also shows that they are continuing to trend upwards Ms Laurel said: 'They have open, gaping wounds, they can't walk, and they tell me, "If I go to the hospital, I'm going to get sick." They're so terrified of the detox.' Unlike with opioids, there are no FDA-approved treatments specifically for xylazine withdrawal. Philip Moore, chief medical officer for the non-profit treatment provider Gaudenzia, told the paper that weaning people off xylazine is a complicated procedure. 'We'll start treating for opioid withdrawal, and they should be getting better but we'll see chills, sweating, restlessness, anxiety, agitation,' he said. 'They're very, very unpleasant symptoms. That's what triggers us that we're dealing with a more complicated withdrawal, that there's more xylazine in the mix.' Kensington's streets are littered with syringes, garbage and homeless encampments, with addicts dealing and using drugs in broad daylight Drugs are openly used and passed round. One addict (in red shirt) is seen holding a syringe in his teeth Drug users either inject xylazine or smoke it, mixed with fentanyl and other drugs A person is pictured passed out from the drug. Xylazine is now found in 90 per cent of all Philadelphia's heroin He said he had prescribed clonidine and lofexidine, both medications for high blood pressure, to get patients through withdrawal, as well as sedatives such as phenobarbitol or Valium. Moore said there needs to be better education for medical practitioners, to enable them to deal with the withdrawal symptoms. 'The challenge is educating other physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and the community,' he said. 'If we don't recognize xylazine withdrawal, patients are really uncomfortable and they'll leave treatment because they don't feel like they're getting better.' The drug was first developed in 1962 as an anaesthetic for veterinary procedures, and was never cleared for human consumption. Initial trials were not completed because the drug led to respiratory depression and low blood pressure. A homeless man sits on a crate in the street and begs for help in Philadelphia Drug users are pictured sprawled in the park, waiting for their next fix. The city of Philadelphia is struggling to cope with the surge in use of xylazine A man is seen preparing his next hit. Drug use in Kensington is open and pervasive It began being used as a substitute for heroin in the early 2000s, and was first found on the streets of Kensington in 2006 - but since the pandemic, its use has soared. Now more than 90 percent of the heroin now found in Philadelphia contains xylazine. A June study found the drug has spread to 36 states and D.C. The drug, also known as 'tranq', causes a blackout stupor. It also leads to skin damage so severe it resembles chemical burns, plus deep festering wounds that frequently result in amputations. Furthermore, xylazine - which is often combined with fentanyl - means that usual treatments for opioid overdoses are not effective. In November, the FDA issued a nationwide alert about the drug for doctors, and the following month the Office of National Drug Control Policy said it was concerned about the drug's spread. Mayor Jim Kenney's office, which has supported an overdose prevention site in Philadelphia, said they need to do everything possible to save lives. 'As this crisis takes more lives and continues to evolve, we believe it is critical to use every available method to save lives and that an overdose prevention centre would add a powerful tool to our existing harm reduction strategies,' said Sarah Peterson, a spokesman for Kenney. 'Overdose prevention centres save lives, prevent injuries and illness, reduce drug use and drug-related litter in public spaces, and increase connections to health services and treatment.' The mother of rising AFL star Rhett Bazzo has been found dead after the boat she was in slammed into a buoy, killing another woman. Kylie Bazzo, 52, was on board with her friends Deborah and John Burdon and another man when the vessel struct a navigation marker sending the group flying into the Mandurah Estuary south of Perth about 10pm on Saturday. Mrs Burdon, 54, was eventually pulled from the water later that night but the mother-of-two could not be revived. It is understood her husband Mr Burdon, 47, was behind the wheel at the time and was rushed to the Royal Perth Hospital. The other man on board miraculously walked away uninjured. Police on Sunday afternoon conducted a widescale sea, land and air search but were not able to locate Mrs Bazzo's body until Sunday night, when it was discovered near Creery Island in the Mandurah Estuary. The mother of rising AFL star Rhett Bazzo (pictured alongside mum Kylie) was killed when the boat she was in slammed into a buoy, also killing another woman 'There's been a massive conglomeration of resources into the district and into the location to try and locate the person,' WA Police acting Superintendent Peter Morrissey told The West before the discovery was made. 'We've done land-based searches and water-based searches and at this stage, we're probably in a space where we're looking to recover the body.' Her son Rhett, 19, is a rising star in the AFL and was drafted as a defender at the beginning of the 2022 season for the West Coast Eagles. 'We are super excited and proud of you Rhett hard work and commitment definitely pays off,' Mrs Bazzo shared online recently after his contract was extended at the club until 2025. Pictured is a rescue boat used in the widescale search of the waterway Kylie Bazzo, 52, was on board with her friends Deborah and John Burdon (pictured) and another man when the vessel struct a navigation marker sending the group flying into the Mandurah Estuary south of Perth about 10pm on Saturday The tragedy comes after Rhett and his sister Kameron also lost their dad Steve Bazzo, a WAFL footy legend for South Mandurah, at a young age. Investigations are continuing into how the boating tragedy happened. Witnesses Wendy and Vince McCormack revealed they saw the vessel collide into the pylon from their home '(The boat) was speeding very quickly and then all of a sudden we heard a bang,' Mrs McCormack said. 'It didn't have any lights on the boat, and it went straight into the red marker there. And then there was silence. '(We thought) there must've been a tragedy the fact it was silent.' Joe Biden went on the attack against Republicans and the 6-3 conservative Supreme Court Sunday on what would have been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and issued a presidential memorandum protecting access to the abortion pill. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris will speak in Tallahassee, Florida Sunday afternoon to announce the new directives and discuss 'next steps in the fight for reproductive rights.' The Supreme Court in June overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, issuing a ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization that stripped federal protections for abortion and gave the rights back to the states. 'Today, instead of commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, we are acknowledging that last year, the Supreme Court took away a constitutional right from the American people,' Biden wrote in a statement Sunday. President Joe Biden issued a Presidential Memorandum Sunday protecting access nationwide to the abortion pill as Vice President Kamala Harris heads to Florida for remarks on what would be the 50th anniversary of landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade The Supreme Court ruled in June against Roe v. Wade, which stripped federal abortion protections and send the issue back to the states. Pictured: Demonstrators with the March for Life rally in Washington, D.C. on Saturday for the first event since the overturn of Roe v. Wade Harris will announce in her remarks that administration's new plan 'ensuring safe access to medication abortion,' specifically referencing the drug mifepristone, which is a pill used to induce a medical abortion or force a miscarriage. Combined with misoprostol, the drug is 97 percent effective during the first 63 days of pregnancy and can also be effective in the second trimester. 'Democrats are proudly cheerleading barbaric policies to allow unrestricted abortions including infanticide. That's all anyone needs to know,' The Republican Party of Floruda wrote in a statement on Harris' upcoming remarks. The 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade has brought about a flurry of reactions from both sides of the abortion arguments. Demonstrators at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. on Saturday was the first time the gathering happened in the post-Roe landscape. Thousands of pro-life marchers celebrated the Supreme Court decision. Meanwhile, pro-abortion groups and activists have decried the decision and labeled it a massive step back in the fight for women's rights. 'Despite how unpopular and dangerous their agenda is, Republicans are racing against themselves to take away Americans' freedoms and they're not slowing down,' the Democratic National Party wrote in a statement on the 50th anniversary. Biden released a statement Sunday morning bashing Republicans and the Supreme Court for the decision to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision The administration's announcements on Sunday announced that it would protect access to the abortion pill mifepristone 'no matter where they live' The president, in his statement Sunday morning, again called on Congress to codify abortion protections into law a feat that is now even more unlikely with the GOP-majority House. 'Since the Supreme Court's decision, Americans, time and time again, have made their voices heard: women should be able to make these deeply personal decisions free from political interference,' Biden said. 'Yet, Republicans in Congress and across the country continue to push for a national abortion ban, to criminalize doctors and nurses, and to make contraception harder to access. It's dangerous, extreme, and out of touch,' he added. 'I'll continue to fight to protect a woman's right to choose.' 'Congress must restore the protections of Roe v. Wade in federal law it's the only way we can fully secure a woman's right to choose in every state.' One tactic Democrats are looking to employ now that states can restrict abortion rights seemingly unchecked, is by making sure all women have access to the abortion pill. 'Since the day of the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, President Biden has emphasized the need to protect access to mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortion that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for over 20 years and accounts for the majority of all abortions in the United States,' a White House fact sheet noted. The Presidential Memorandum announced that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) along with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) will consider new guidance to support patients and providers, as well as pharmacies looking to legally prescribe or provide access to mifepristone. This protection would apply to all women 'no matter where they live.' The second part of the memo is meant to make sure that those seeking the abortion pill are able to access it 'free from threats or violence.' 'The President has long made clear that people should have access to reproductive care free from harassment, threats, or violence,' the White House fact sheet notes. 'Pharmacies should be treated no differently.' It follows an ongoing row over a Low Traffic Neighbourhood in Dulwich, London A council boss in charge of a controversial Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme accused disability campaigners of 'mansplaining' as they asked for a blue badge holder exemption. The fiery row erupted between the Labour councillor and residents as they discussed a junction in Dulwich Village, South London, which was closed with planters to become an LTN during the first lockdown. LTNs were created in a move to make air quality cleaner and roads quieter, prioritising the movements of cyclist and pedestrians over cars. This has meant disabled motorists, with blue badges were also forced to drive through alternative, and often longer routes. Labour councillor Catherine Rose (pictured), who oversees the LTN scheme, accused two disability campaigners of 'mansplaining' while they called for a blue badge holder exemption Two local campaigners attended Southwark Council's December cabinet meeting to present local politicians with a petition, signed by 600 locals in the area, which called for a blue badge exemption. Clive Rates told councillors that after the LTNs were implemented in 2020, a large number of people with disabilities in the area now 'find themselves trapped in their homes'. He said: 'Is it really a benefit for society that vulnerable and disabled people find themselves unable to leave their homes?' Mr Rates went on to relay the effect the scheme had had on local bus routes had been 'extremely deleterious not just for vulnerable people but for everybody'. The campaigner's comments provoked a visibly angry response from councillor Catherine Rose, who oversees the LTN scheme under her role as the council's cabinet member for streets and clean air. More than 600 locals in the London village signed a petition for blue badge holders to be exempt to Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. Pictured: The junction on Carlton Avenue with planters, blocking cars from passing by During the meeting in December, Cllr Rose (pictured third in on the left) asked the campaigners 'have you finished mansplaining to me?' The councillor shouted in response: 'Have you finished mansplaining to me? 'That's exactly what you have been doing for the last five or ten minutes. 'Thank you very much, I speak to thousands of people.' Mr Rates, along with Tristan Honeyborne, pointed out that the council's own equalities impact assessment had assumed blue badge holders would still have access through the LTN. The pair also mentioned that a consultation about the council's plans to redesign the junction in August 2021 saw 57 per cent wishing to scrap it, with only 15 per cent supporting it staying in place. Throughout the tense meeting, Labour council leader, Cllr Kieron Williams, also accused the two men of having a 'broader agenda' after they failed to secure Conservative councillor seats in last year's local election. Labour council leader, Kieron Williams accused Clive Rates (right) and Tristan Honeyborne(left) of having a 'broader agenda' at the meeting Following the outburst Mr Rates told the Telegraph: 'Cllr Rose's attack on me is consistent with how local residents, TFL officers and others questioning the failed Dulwich LTN have been treated. 'Both she and Council Leader Williams refused to engage with the substance of our petition and the discrimination it highlighted, and have shown contempt for the 600 mostly local residents who signed it and the vulnerable people we were trying to help.' In 2021, Dulwich council raked in 6.6 million of fines from LTNs. In the past three years, LTNs have cost Londoner's 100 million in fines. Cllr Catherine Rose, cabinet member for leisure, parks, streets and clean air said: 'We have one of the most comprehensive, borough wide exemption policies for Blue Badge holders in London. Blue Badge holders in Dulwich have access through all other local roads at all times. 'All our camera enforced road restrictions permit Blue Badge holders, with the limited exception of a few locations, including Dulwich junction, where it would not be safe to do so. 'As part of the next stage of the consultation, we will complete a full Equality Impact Assessment of our proposals. We are also advised by our Assisted Travel team who support our Blue Badge Holders. We will fully consider the needs of Blue Badge holders, along with all of the other protected groups.' 32 people have died in shootings - in Utah, Ohio, California and North Carolina The Lunar New Year shooting in Los Angeles was the 5th mass shooting this year Witnesses described the scenes after a mass shooting in a ballroom on Saturday Witnesses have described the horrific scenes that ensued after a shooting during a Lunar New Year celebration last night forced victims to take refuge in a nearby restaurant as a man with a gun opened fire. The shooting began in a ballroom in Monterey Park, a suburb of Los Angeles, at around 10pm on Saturday night. The owner of a local seafood barbecue restaurant, Seung Won Choi, told the LA Times three people rushed into his restaurant and told him to lock the door. Choi said he was told there was a man with a machine-gun, and believes there shooting took place at a dance club. He added the man had multiple rounds of ammunition on him and would reload every time he ran out. Witnesses of the Lunar New Year shooting have described how after gunfire broke out victims were forced to take refuge in nearby restaurants Last night's shooting at the Monterrey Park dance hall was therefore the second shooting this year in California This image shows the inside of the ballroom where the shots were fired and at least ten people were killed Local Wong Wei told the LA Times his friend was at the dance club, and was in the bathroom when shooting broke out. When she emerged, she said she saw a gunman and three bodies - two women and one person who he said was the boss of the club. She was able to escape the club at around 11pm and get home, according to Wei. 'They don't know why, so they run,' he said. When police arrived, officers found people 'pouring out of the location, screaming. The officers made entry to the location and located additional victims,' LA County sheriff's Captain Andrew Meyer said. The gunman has not been identified and remains at large but police confirmed he was not using an assault rifle. The new year celebration in Monterey Park is one of the largest Chinese New Year events in Southern California, with 1000s in attendance, and is not known if the attack was racially motivated. Police have said that the shooter was an Asian male between the age of 30 and 50. Monterey Park is a city in Los Angeles county, around 7 miles from downtown LA, with a population of about 60,000 people. Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia tweeted: 'Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones tonight in our neighboring city, Monterey Park, where a mass shooting just occurred. 'Monterey Park is home to one of the largest Asian communities in Los Angeles County and many were out celebrating the Lunar New Year.' According to demographic data, Monterey Park is home to an Asian majority population. About 65 percent of community residents are Asian. 'This is [supposed to be] a happy time,' Edwin Chen, who grew up in Monterey Park and has around a dozen relative and friends living there, told the LA Times. Chen works as a delivery driver and rushed to the scene of the shooting when he found out about the shooting. 'I want to find out as much as possible. It's still shocking,' he said. Ten deaths and ten injuries makes it the joint fourth most deadly shooting in California's history. Multiple casualties were reported after the shooting in California during New Year celebrations Interior of the Star Ballroom in Monterey Park, California where the shooting took place Saturday night Dozens of police officers responded to reports of a shooting on 22 January in California Last night's shooting was the deadliest since 21 people were killed in a school in Uvalde, Texas, eight months ago. Just this month at least 32 people have died in five mass shootings - in Utah, Ohio, California and North Carolina. This is the first time in more than fifteen years that there have been five mass shootings in the first three weeks of January, according to an AP database. The first shooting this year was in Enoch, Utah, on January 3 and saw a man murder his five children and wife before turning the gun on himself. Just three days into the new year the church-going family of eight including five children were found dead in their home after police were called for a welfare check. The bodies of two parents, their five children and another adult were found with gunshot wounds. Less than a week later on January 9 in High Point, North Carolina, another father killed his wife and three children. On January 13 in Cleveland, Ohio, two adults, 69 and 34, and a child, 16, were killed and two others were hospitalized after a shooting in a home. Three days later on January 16, three were killed in Goshen, California, in what police described as a 'cartel-style execution'. At least six people, including a mother, 17, and her 6-month-old baby were found dead after a shooting at 3.30am which was thought to be gang or drugs related. The first shooting this year was in Enoch, Utah, on January 3 and saw a man murder his five children and wide before then killing himself. The family home is pictured The Lunar New Year shooting in Los Angeles on Saturday night was the most deadly mass shooting in the US since the school shooting in Uvalde last year The Uvalde shooting at Robb Elementary School, which killed 19 third and fourth grade children and two teachers, was one of the deadliest school shootings in US history. Student at nearby school Salvador Ramos bought two rifles just days after turning 18, which he then used to launch the attack in May 2022. A report released two months later by the Texas House committee found that on the eve of the May 24 shooting, Ramos, contacted several people 'with vague but ominous messages.' Ramos, 18, reportedly sent a Snapchat message to a 15-year-old German teenager he had befriended online telling her he 'had a little secret.' He told her that he couldn't elaborate on what the plan entailed because he was waiting for a delivery on May 23, the day he received 1,740 hollow points. On the day of the shooting, Ramos referred to his grandma as 'this b****' in a text to the German teenager. He later texted her, 'I just shot my grandma in her head... Ima go shoot up a elementary school rn.' The house committee investigating the incident also found that Ramos was nicknamed 'school shooter,' terrorized women online with graphic descriptions of violence and rape and even carried around a dead cat before the massacre. Ramos, who is referred to in the report as 'the attacker,' was described by relatives as shy, quiet when he was a child and reluctant to interact with others because of a speech impediment. He was a 'wonderful student' and always ready to learn, the committee learned of Ramos as a child. But then something changed. He began falling behind in school and was identified as 'at-risk,' but never received special education services he needed, according to the report. Throughout the fourth grade, Ramos was bullied over his stutter, short haircut and clothing - which he often wore the same every day, the report revealed, and detailed a time when a girl tied his shoelaces together causing him to fall on his face. Salvador Ramos on video in the halls of Robb Elementary just before he massacred 21 people Uvalde police chief Pete Arredondo came under considerable criticism for his department's failure to confront the Ramos soon enough. Pete Arredondo telling the Texas Department of Public Safety how he chose to prioritize the lives of students in other classrooms A split view of the hallway before the dozens of other cops arrived shows the officers with their rifles drawn, standing behind shields, thirty minutes after the shooting began and yards away from the classroom In 2018, Ramos had more than 100 absences that year and his grades were failing. By 2021, he had only completed the ninth grade, despite being 17 that year. Instead of returning to school after the pandemic, Ramos dropped out and became more isolated focusing on the online world. Ariana Diaz, a senior at Uvalde High School and one of the shooter's former classmates, described him as a 'popular loner,' someone who everyone knew, but who kept to himself. She told The Texas Tribune, that after COVID, he seemed to be in what she described as a 'dark place,' and started wearing all black and combat boots. In the wake of that shooting Uvalde police chief Pete Arredondo came under considerable criticism for his department's failure to confront the Ramos soon enough. Texas Department of Public Safety head Steve McCraw slammed police's response to the massacre as 'an abject failure,' and that there had been enough cops at the scene to stop the gunman just three minutes into the shooting. 'Three minutes after the subject entered the west hallway, there was sufficient number of armed officers wearing body armor, to isolate distract and neutralize the subject,' McCraw told a committee. This month's spate of shootings came less than two months after five were killed in a shooting at a nightclub in Colorado Springs. Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, was accused of entering a gay club and opening fire with an AR-15-style rifle, killing five people and injuring dozens of others. U.S. prosecutors are now considering possible searches of other locations linked to President Joe Biden after the Department of Justice (DOJ) found yet more classified files in his possession, it was reported late on Saturday. Federal officials are 'considering whether to seek searches' of additional areas after six additional items were found at Biden's Wilmington home, according to CBS News. The news broke while he was at his Rehoboth Beach vacation property. Meanwhile, Republicans are knives out for the president amid the growing scandal. House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer said his investigation into the Biden family was moving into its 'next phase,' which reportedly involves both the classified documents and the president's finances - along with those of his son Hunter Biden. 'Well be looking at bank statements. We'll be looking at bank violations,' Comer told the Washington Examiner. President Joe Biden is at his Rehoboth Beach property this weekend while more classified files were found in his Wilmington home 'That's the next phase of our investigation because we're trying to figure out who these anonymous sources are that are sending so much money to the Biden family schemes - the Biden Center for Diplomacy and Hunter Biden's artwork.' Investigating the Biden family and its finances has been a top priority for Comer and House Republicans ever since clinching the chamber majority late last year. But the president is also being investigated by a special counsel, appointed by his own Attorney General Merrick Garland, over his handling of classified records. The latest discovery reportedly brings the total number of classified files found to between 25 and 30. It's not immediately clear how many of the six documents revealed on Saturday were top secret in nature. But the documents found Saturday range from Biden's three-decade tenure in the Senate and his time as Barack Obama's vice president. The DOJ searched Biden's Delaware residency for more than 12 hours, according to a statement by the president's personal lawyer revealing the new documents. Pictures of the entrance to President Joe Biden's lake front home in Wilmington, DE 'DOJ requested that the search not be made public in advance, in accordance with its standard procedures, and we agreed to cooperate,' the statement read. Lawyer Bob Bauer maintained that Justice officials had 'full access' to the Wilmington-area home, where classified documents had also been found earlier this month. 'DOJ took possession of materials it deemed within the scope of its inquiry, including six items consisting of documents with classification markings and surrounding materials, some of which were from the Presidents service in the Senate and some of which were from his tenure as Vice President,' the statement read. 'DOJ also took for further review personally handwritten notes from the vice-presidential years.' Donald Trump, the former president who is Biden's political arch rival, seized on the debacle to once again declare his own innocence. 'They created this Documents mess for themselves by being so totally DERANGED about me, and I did NOTHING WRONG!!!' Trump wrote on his social media app Truth Social. Trump is also being investigated for his handling of classified records, which he reportedly lied to investigators about having, resulting in an FBI raid on his home last summer to recover the top secret files. Biden, by contrast, has said he is taking the investigation 'seriously' and working with officials at the DOJ and National Archives every step of the way. But Republican critics of the Democratic president have called that into question after Saturday's discovery. 'AGAIN?!? How in the HELL do they keep screwing this up?? As Biden repeatedly says, everyone knows how seriously I take classified documents. Yes. Yes we do,' Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz wrote on Twitter. Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Scott Perry, a member of the House Oversight Committee, echoed Biden's own words: 'Everyone know i how seriously I take classified documents.' 'I guess the operative words here were, "I take,"' Perry wrote. A British beauty therapist who was left paralysed after falling 60ft from a balcony while on holiday in Thailand has returned home. Maddi Neale-Shankster is back at her family's home in Coventry weeks after the incident in Ko Pha-Ngan island on New Year's Eve. The 21-year-old was left paralysed after breaking her back, suffering two collapsed lungs and having ribs pierce her liver in the fall. She faced being left stuck in Thailand after her travel insurance refused to pay the full bill, but has now come back after family raised 75,000 to cover the costs. Maddi Neale-Shankster, pictured, fell 60ft from a hotel balcony on New Year's Eve in Thailand The 21-year-old was left in hospital (pictured) after suffering a broken back, two collapsed lungs and damage to her liver The beauty therapist, who is from Coventry, landed back in the UK on Monday, January 16, after spending more than two weeks in hospital, BBC reports. She was accompanied by her parents Karen Moseley-Neale and Jamie Shankster, who had flown to Thailand to be with her following the incident, which has left her paralysed from the waist down. The fundraiser set up by the family has so far brought in more than 76,000 in donations, which they say was used to cover 'all hospital fees, repatriation and transportation costs back to the UK'. Now she is back in the UK she is expected to undertake further rehabilitation. Speaking to the BBC last week, her mother said: 'Before the accident, I was on FaceTime to Maddi. An hour later, we got a phone call from her partner and all I could hear is Maddi screaming in the background and the sirens blaring.' 'Since the fall we are now coping with the realisation that potentially Maddi may never walk again,' her family said. 'After the fall Maddi was left on the floor for 40 minutes helpless until an ambulance finally arrived.' Maddi was rushed to hospital where surgeons performed surgery on the 21-year-old's back. Her condition has improved significantly over the past week. Speaking about Maddi's condition, Karen said: 'She's really well in herself, she's sitting up, she's certainly found her sense of humour. She's actually lucky to be here only for the grace of God and the surgeons.' 'We can't thank everyone enough for their generosity, well wishes and support. We are eternally grateful,' Karen said. The mother urged anyone travelling abroad to check their insurance cover carefully so that they don't end up in the same position. Karen said: 'Maddi took holiday insurance while in Thailand for 10,000 baht (247). She thought it was 10,000... I'd hate for anybody to be in this position.' Maddi, pictured, was flown home on Monday, January 16, after more than 75,000 was raised to cover her hospital bills and transportation costs The incident happened when she fell from a hotel balcony (pictured) on the Thai island of Ko Pha-Ngan Maddi's family said money would be needed not only to cover her hospital bills, but to ensure she could be safely flown home. The family wrote on the Go Fund Me page: 'To fly without ICD drains the nurses have advised us we will not be able to fly home for one whole year. 'This is not an option, every single minute here is time taken away from her rehabilitation at home and chance to get the right help to encourage walking again. 'To put it in black and white - ICD drains require a whole medical team at a high cost but no ICD drains means we can't fly home for 12 months. Any donations will only go on medication and transfer costs.' Writing on the GoFundMe page after the money was raised, her family said: 'So today we wanted to make everyone aware that we have reached the target set and now have more than enough to cover all hospital fees, repatriation and transportation costs back to the UK. 'We have decided to turn off the donations for this reason. 'If you still wanted to help out directly there are several fundraisers taking place in Coventry which will go towards Maddis rehabilitation and help towards her living costs until she is hopefully able to walk and return to work. 'Once again we can not thank you all so very much for your generosity, we truly never expected this to happen so quickly and we are forever going to be eternally grateful.' The Pennsylvania General Assembly is at a complete halt. The state Senate recessed last week until Feb. 27. The House has no plans to return, hasnt set rules or even set committee chairs as both parties struggle for power in a razor-thin majority. Instead, the new House speaker will lead a listening tour around the state. And when one part of the state Legislature isnt working, none of it can. The House is essentially neutralized. It cant perform its function, said Khalif Ali, executive director of the good-government advocacy group Common Cause PA. For the next few weeks, Pennsylvanians can expect that their lawmakers whose annual starting salaries could top $100,000 this year wont be passing any laws. Almost all of these problems hinge on one person: Pennsylvanias new Speaker of the House Mark Rozzi. Rozzi, a six-term Democrat representing parts of Reading and its suburbs, was elected speaker Jan. 3 in a surprise vote supported by all House Democrats and House GOP leadership. The Senate canceled its scheduled voting sessions for the next two weeks of January because of the legislative hold-up in the House. To solve the partisan gridlock, Rozzi created a work group of three Democrats, including Allentown Rep. Peter Schweyer, and three Republicans. He expanded on this initiative Friday by announcing a listening tour with the group to ask good-government organizations and state residents how best to heal the divides in Harrisburg, what a fair set of House rules should include, and a plan to finally get survivors of childhood sexual assault the justice and truth that they so desperately deserve. On Sunday, Rozzi announced the first session of the listening tour will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday on the Carnegie Mellon University campus in Pittsburgh. As a rank-and-file member of the House for 10 years, I was never involved in the behind-the-scenes politics of the General Assembly, Rozzi said in a news release. Now, having been thrust into it over the last two weeks, I can tell you one thing: Harrisburg is broken. Since taking the speakers gavel, Rozzi has never taken questions from reporters. Its unclear whether hes hired a full staff to help him handle his duties and thanks to this listening tour it will be at least a few weeks until the House resumes session. It looks more likely that the House wont reconvene before three special elections scheduled for Feb. 7. These elections for vacancies in solidly blue districts outside Pittsburgh will shift Democrats into a majority. Rozzi pledged to be an independent speaker who would not join the internal deliberations of either party. Republicans said they cut a deal with Rozzi just before the speaker vote to formally change his political affiliation to independent. This way, the House would continue to meet before the Feb. 7 special elections and Democrats take the majority. Since then, House GOP members have suggested that Rozzi has privately walked back his promise to change his political party, and some have begun calling for him to step down as speaker. There shouldve been some type of agreement that would bridge the gap to allow the House to continue to function and vote on bills and draft legislation to get it over to the Senate, but were not seeing that, Ali added. Were still just talking about power, not the people of Pennsylvania. The House GOP policy committee will meet Monday about the need to return to session and pass Senate Bill 1, an omnibus package of three constitutional amendments: one to require voter ID to cast a ballot, one to increase the legislatures power over regulations, and another to create a two-year window for childhood sexual-abuse victims to file civil suits against their abusers or the institutions that protected them. If passed by the House, these amendments would appear on the May primary ballot. Ali said hes hopeful that once the Legislature is back to work, a razor-thin majority House and GOP-controlled Senate will have to work together and find compromise. Nothing is going to come out of the General Assembly without some compromise, he said. Police have launched a full investigation into the suspected murder of a man in his fifties in Kenton, Newcastle. The man was found dead by ambulance crews on a patch of grass on Brigham Close in Newcastle upon Tyne on Friday evening, who notified police around 8:20pm. The incident is being treated as suspected murder after the man was found with severe facial injuries that were said to be 'consisted with being assaulted'. A cordon was set up and a full investigation launched shortly after, despite initially treating the death as 'unexplained'. Police are investigating after a man was found dead in Newcastle upon Tyne on Friday night Officers responded to concerns for the welfare of a man in his 50s on Brigham Avenue The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Detective chief inspector Martin Brooks, of Northumbria Police, said: 'We are determined to find out exactly what has happened here and get the man's family the answers they rightly deserve. 'We believe the man was seriously assaulted on Friday night and whoever was responsible for inflicting those injuries has then left the scene. 'We are carrying out a huge range of enquiries in order to trace anyone believed to have been responsible. 'Those enquiries will continue throughout the course of today and officers remain in the area to gather evidence and speak to those living in the area. Anybody with concerns is encouraged to speak to an officer on duty.' Police initially treated the incident as 'unexplained' but since launched a murder investigation Police are asking for the public to come forward with any information, by website or 101 Det Ch Insp Brooks once again asked for the public's help - asking anyone who saw 'anything suspicious' in the area on Friday night, 'or a person heading away from the scene', to contact the force. 'Please also check any CCTV or dashcam footage if you live or were driving near that area. Your information could prove the key to our investigation,' he added. The man's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers. Police remain in the area while the investigation develops. Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the 'Tell Us Something' page of the Northumbria Police website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20230120-0995. MailOnline readers voted on where they keep their groceries after a debate over what foods should be kept chilled. The results show that most readers follow expert advise by storing tomatoes, eggs, ketchup and grapes in the fridge. Readers are equally ambivalent about where to store eggs correctly as the experts bickering among themselves, as our poll reveals 52 per cent store them in the fridge and 48 per cent freeze them. People are less divided when it comes to tomatoes - 71 per cent store them in the fridge -, ketchup - 61 per cent refridgerate them - and grapes or fruit, who 74 per cent say should be kept chilled. Sometimes it's hard to know the best way to store certain food items, and it becomes particularly tricky when considering how requirements can change depending on whether the product is cooked or raw For storing dairy products our readers agree they should be kept in the fridge, with 98 per cent saying soft cheese, 89 per cent saying hard cheese and 82 per cent saying butter should be cold. Better kept chilled are also bell peppers (87 per cent) and cucumbers (86 per cent), according to the poll. For soy sauce (81 per cent), potatoes (78 per cent), nuts (96 per cent), nutella (75 per cent), onions (69 per cent) and pastries (80 per cent) the vote is clearly pointing towards storing them in the cupboard. According to most voters, bread should also be kept in the cupboard, although 12 per cent refridgerate it while 17 per cent even freeze it. Equally as controversial as the correct storage of eggs are hot sauce - with a 56 to 44 per cent split in favour of the cupboard - , choolate with 65 per cent in favour of the cupboard, and fresh herbs, who a slight majority keep in the fridge with 54 to 46 per cent. Where should these items be stored according to the experts? Eggs Celebrity chef James Martin reignited the debate by talking about the the best place to store eggs, revealing he would 'never' refrigerate them. You've been cooking your vegetables WRONG: Young Masterchef judge Poppy O'Toole reveals her Michelin-star method for the perfect roast veg using feta, bacon and even kale Poppy O'Toole has 3.5million followers on Instagram and more than 420,000 on Instagram Advertisement While the British egg safety body states the fridge is the best place for eggs, Martin told Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on This Morning they should 'never be put in the fridge' because 'they are all porous'. He said eggs eventually 'absorb all the flavours of the fridge' due to the shell's texture. However, eggs kept in the fridge do have a longer shelf life than otherwise. Kate Llewellyn-Waters, resident nutritionist on Channel 5's 'You Are What You Eat' and author of The Immunity Cookbook, previously told Femail eggs cause 'the most confusion and debate' in the kitchen. 'It is believed that condensation in the fridge can lead to bacteria multiplying. Lots of people think eggs should always refrigerated, however, how you plan to use your eggs determines how they should be stored.' Eggs destined to be turned into mayonnaise are best left in the fridge to keep the yolks firm, while poached or fried eggs are best kept in the cupboard before use. She said: 'However, if you are planning to eat your egg scrambled or boiled, you can either refrigerate them or keep them at room temperature. A chilled boiled egg will take a little longer to cook, however, the result will be the same as using an un-refrigerated egg. 'One useful tip, which I always find helpful is that if you do keep eggs in the fridge try not to store them in the egg holders that are often found in the fridge door. 'This is because when you open and close the door it shakes the eggs, and then when you break the egg it may split more easily. 'Instead, I recommend storing them in an airtight container (to reduce losing moisture) near the back of the fridge.' Eggs cause 'the most confusion and debate' in the kitchen (stock photo) Celebrity chef James Martin has waded into the debate over whether eggs should be stored in the fridge or cupboard, stating he would 'never' refrigerate them Dairy products Soft cheeses: The experts say FRIDGE Not all cheeses are created equally. Soft cheeses like brie, fresh mozzarella or ricotta require refrigeration to avoid spoiling. But Kate noted cheese, like many foods, 'actually tastes better when eaten at a warmer temperature'. Our taste buds perform at their best when food is closer to body temperature, she said, so cheese doesn't have as strong a flavour if eaten straight from the fridge. The nutritionist recommended removing cheese from the fridge a short time before it's due to be eaten. Hard cheeses: The experts say CUPBOARD Hard cheeses such as cheddar and parmesan are less likely to spoil because there is not as much moisture. As a result, they can last for weeks or even months at room temperature when stored correctly. They should be wrapped in wax paper or parchment and placed in a resealable bag to keep dry, according to the website preparedness advice. Milk: The experts say FRIDGE Milk must be stored in the fridge to keep from spoiling. Most households leave milk in the fridge door, however experts recommend keeping it at the back of a shelf in the lower portion of the fridge for optimal freshness. This is because opening and closing the fridge door frequently will slightly change the temperature, and those fluctuations can put milk and cream at risk of spoiling. Cream: The experts say FRIDGE The same rules as above apply for cream, whipping cream and even breast milk. Keeping these in the coldest parts of your fridge will ensure the product is fresh for as long as possible. Butter: The experts say CUPBOARD Butter should be kept in an airtight container and can be left out on the counter. This is because it has been pasteurised and churned. The fat content creates a barrier against bacteria, while salted varieties add an extra layer of protection. When kept in proper conditions, butter will last well for a week or more. The best option is to keep out what you're planning to use in the next few days. Margarine: The experts say FRIDGE While butter is safe to keep on the counter, margarine and other substitutes should be kept chilled. These products are more sensitive to heat and are more likely to separate when left at room temperature. According to celebrity chef Martin, it's dreadful, dreadful stuff [and] two elements away from plastic. Martin has previously called on Britons to boycott margarine, and wants it pulled from shelves entirely. Butter should be kept in an airtight container and can be left out on the counter. This is because it has been pasteurised and churned Jams, sauces and salad dressings Jams and jellies: The experts say CUPBOARD UNTIL OPENED Jams and jellies are safe to be stored in the cupboard until they've been opened. But once the seal has been broken, it is best to refrigerate. Opened jams and jellies are likely to spoil at a rapid rate if they're not stored correctly. Hot sauce: The experts say CUPBOARD Hot sauce will maintain peak freshness for up to six months when stored at room temperature, while also maintaining its taste. Some households choose to store it in the fridge, and doing so makes little difference to the overall product. It will also keep slightly longer in the fridge. Fermented hot sauces are the exception to this rule, and should be kept in the fridge. Fresh food prices jump 15 per cent to hit record high as the cost of shopping soars and retailers warn inflation shows no sign of slowing Advertisement Ketchup: The experts say FRIDGE Ketchup storage is one of the most hotly contested food items. Officially, the advice is that ketchup should be kept in the fridge once opened, however many households will debate this until the end of time. According to the product info on Heinz ketchup, we should be refrigerating after opening, and eating within eight weeks. Back in 2017, after a debate kicked off about the matter on Twitter, Heinz issued a statement to put it to rest. 'Because of its natural acidity, Heinz Ketchup is shelf-stable. However, its stability after opening can be affected by storage conditions. We recommend that this product, like any processed food, be refrigerated after opening. Refrigeration will maintain the best product quality after opening,' a spokesman said. Soy sauce: The experts say EITHER Soy sauce has an extremely high sodium content, which is part of the reason it is fine to keep at room temperature for at least a few months after it is opened. Manufacturer Kikkoman states as long as no water or other ingredients have been added to the product, it will not spoil. This is another product, however, which will last longer in the fridge, so it is largely up to personal preference. Salad dressing: The experts say FRIDGE Salad dressings should be stored in the fridge to avoid the products spoiling. From creamy ranch dressings to vinaigrettes and citrus dressings, official advice is to keep them all in the fridge. Salad dressings should be stored in the fridge to avoid the products spoiling Mayonnaise: The experts say FRIDGE While mayonnaise is stored at room temperature in grocery stores, the moment it has been opened it must be moved to the refrigerator. Experts recommend mayo be thrown away if it's left out of the fridge for more than eight hours. Chutney: The experts say FRIDGE Chutney should be stored in the fridge after opening for optimal freshness. Olive oil: The experts say CUPBOARD Kate said the optimal storage temperature for extra-virgin olive oil is somewhere in the vicinity of about 15C. While that is cooler than room temperature, it's closer than the temperature inside a fridge. 'If you chill the olive oil and the temperature reduces, the most stable fats in the oil turn solid, which leaves the more unstable triacylglycerol molecules in liquid form,' she said. 'Keeping olive oil in the fridge can reduce its health-promoting antioxidant activity. Nut and seed oils can last for longer when kept in a fridge, but you may notice them solidifying or looking cloudy.' Kate said: 'Jams, fruit spreads, maple syrup, sauces, such as tomato sauce, soy sauce, horseradish and mustard, should all be refrigerated after the item has been opened or partly used' FRUIT Apples and pears: The experts say FRIDGE While there are some fruits that are better kept at room temperature, apples and pears are somewhat of a grey area, Kate said. She recommended storing them in a fruit bowl initially, but later moving them to the fridge. 'Keep these in the fruit bowl first for a few days and then pop in the fridge - they can be refrigerated for approximately three days before the taste is affected,' she said. Bananas: The experts say CUPBOARD Bananas, on the other hand, should remain in the cupboard. Kate said: 'You may have seen what happens when you put a banana in the fridge - the skin turns brown and blotchy, because bananas are not at all suited to a cold environment. 'Aware that it is being 'damaged', a banana will trigger its own defence mechanism by releasing an enzyme called PPO in the cells of its skin, which makes the skin then turn brown. 'It is this enzyme that makes your apple turn brown, too, once you have cut it. Ripe bananas can be very useful as there are certain fruits, which are ripened by the ripening agent (ethylene). 'If you want to speed up ripening the following fruits: apples, apricots, avocadoes, tomatoes, plums, pears, kiwis, melons or peaches, then place them near a ripe banana.' Berries and grapes: The experts say FRIDGE Grapes, berries and cherries all last longer when stored in the fridge. While it's not necessarily going to negatively impact the fruit if it's stored outside of the fridge, experts say refrigeration will keep them fresher for longer. Tomatoes: The experts say CUPBOARD Tomatoes are kept on the shelf at room temperature in grocery stores, and yet so many families opt to keep them in the fridge at home. While keeping tomatoes in the fridge does extend their shelf life, it also strips them of their traditional flavour and texture. As a result, it's actually recommended to leave them at room temperature, particularly if you're planning to eat them within a couple of days of purchase. Avocado: The experts say CUPBOARD Avocado should be stored on the counter or in the cupboard until they're completely ripe. Putting an avocado in the fridge will slow this process down, so it's a great option for when the avocado is at it's peak it keep it ripe for longer. Melons: The experts say CUPBOARD Whole melons belong in the cupboard or on the counter. However, once they have been cut up, they should be transferred to a container and stored in the fridge. Putting them in the cold too early could strip the melons of antioxidants. Stone fruits: The experts say FRIDGE Like avocados, stone fruits like peaches, nectarines, mango and apricots belong on the counter until they're completely ripe. Refrigerating these fruits too soon will alter their flavour. The best way to eat these fruits is quickly, experts say. Storing them at room temperature until they're fully ripe and then placing them in the fridge will extend their shelf life by a couple of days. Grapes, berries and cherries all last longer when stored in the fridge Vegetables Bell peppers: The experts say CUPBOARD Whole bell peppers can be safely stored at room temperature for three to seven days, and this will ensure the outer skin stays crisp. However, others advise keeping peppers in the fridge, but away from other produce which could negatively impact them. Regardless, there is no debate that once chopped, peppers belong in the fridge. Aubergine: The experts say CUPBOARD Aubergines actually respond better when they're left on the counter or in a cool, dry and dark place. While it can also be kept in the fridge, it is not likely to last as long. Cucumber: The experts say CUPBOARD Most households store cucumbers in the fridge without so much as a second thought. But experts say cucumbers stored at room temperature actually thrive. They should be stored separately from bananas, tomatoes and melons, which could rapidly bring on spoilage. Pumpkin: The experts say CUPBOARD Whole pumpkins can last months in a cool, dark place. However, once it has been cut, it is better to be transferred to the fridge, with the seeds removed. Lettuce: The experts say FRIDGE Lettuce requires moisture to stay crisp and fresh, so it comes as no surprise that it should be kept in the crisper section of a fridge. It's best to keep lettuce in a container inside the fridge for maximum freshness. Lettuce should be stored away from fruits like pears, apples, tomatoes or avocadoes, as the gas released as they ripen will cause lettuce to wither prematurely. Potatoes: The experts say CUPBOARD The exception to this rule is potatoes, which should not be kept in the fridge. The Food Standards Agency advises they be stored at room temperature, describing them as 'the most important food' to keep out of the fridge. 'When these are stored in the fridge, the starch in the potato is converted to sugar. When baked or fried, these sugars combine with the amino acid asparagine and produce the chemical acrylamide, which is thought to be harmful,' it says. The Food Standards Agency advises they be stored at room temperature, describing them as 'the most important food' to keep out of the fridge Onions and garlic: The experts say CUPBOARD Onions and garlic remain fresher for longer when they're kept in the cupboard. In the fridge, they're likely to become soggy much quicker than otherwise. Garlic can also develop mould or start sprouting within weeks in the fridge, and thrives in a dry and dark environment. Nutritionist's advice on vegetable storage: Kate pointed out fruit and vegetables should not be stored together to avoid spoiling them. 'Fruit releases much more of a gas called ethylene, which is a ripening agent and is released by plants when the fruit is damaged or the climate is right,' she said. 'So, keeping veg with fruit can cause the veg to ripen prematurely and spoil them. Additionally, for optimum taste, it's always a good idea to eat the fruit and veg in your fridge within a few days of it being stored.' 'Delicate vegetables, such as asparagus, lettuce and other salad leaves should always be refrigerated, because the lower temperature of the fridge slows down chemical reactions in the cells, thereby protecting nutrients, such as vitamin C. 'And, it's not just the delicate veg which we need to keep in the fridge, certain hardier root vegetables, such as carrots, turnips and parsnip are also best kept chilled. Chocolate: The experts say EITHER Chocolate is one food item which is hard to definitively place and largely up to preference. While there's no harm in storing chocolate in the fridge, confectionary company Cadbury did reveal this isn't how it is intended to be enjoyed. 'Chocolate should always be stored in a slightly cool, dry, dark place such as a pantry or cupboard less than 21 degrees Celsius to ensure the quality isn't compromised,' the company wrote on Twitter. Leading food safety expert Belinda Stuart-Moonlight, told FEMAIL previously that another reason chocolate shouldn't be refrigerated is because it can lead to a 'sugar bloom'. This occurs when it's chilled then exposed to warmer air. It causes condensation on the surface, dissolving some of the sugar, which recrystallises as a grainy, white coating. Chocolate also absorbs odours, so there's a risk it will end up smelling - and tasting - like last night's leftovers. There is one exception, however. 'Chocolate with a creamy filling is likely to be at higher risk of going off and needs refrigeration,' she said. Chocolate is one food item which is hard to place and largely up to preference Nuts: The experts say FRIDGE Contrary to popular belief, nuts are best stored in the fridge, experts say. They can even be stored in the freezer. However, the key is to allow cold nuts to warm to room temperature before opening the bag or container in which they're stored. This will ensure they have the exact same fresh taste. In the fridge and stored correctly, nuts can last in excess of a year. Spreads Peanut butter: The experts say CUPBOARD Peanut butter and spreads like Marmite are high in salt, which serves as a natural preservative. As a result, these items are safe to be kept in cupboards, even after they're opened. Honey: The experts say CUPBOARD Experts recommend storing honey in the cupboard or at room temperature to keep its texture and flavour. Keeping honey in the fridge speeds up the crystellisation and will result in a thick sludge that is almost impossible to scoop from the jar. Nutella: The experts say CUPBOARD Nutella should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. It should not be refrigerated. If oil is present on the surface of the jar, users are encouraged to mix thoroughly before using the spread. Marmite: The experts say CUPBOARD Marmite should never be kept in the fridge. All the salt acts as a natural preservative, and it will last years stored correctly in the cupboard. The spread is described my lovers of the food as 'virtually indestructible'. Maple syrup: The experts say FRIDGE Maple syrup will last unopened in the cupboard for a year or more. However, once opened, it should be stored in the fridge. Bread: The experts say CUPBOARD Bread should be kept in the cupboard. Keeping it in the fridge will do nothing but dry it out, Kate said. The exception to this rule is when it's not going to be eaten immediately. Bread can be stored in the freezer and thawed as required. The nutritionist noted it could 'potentially be kept in the fridge' if it's only being used for toast, rather than eaten fresh. Bread should be kept in the cupboard. The exception to this rule is when it's not going to be eaten immediately. Bread can be stored in the freezer and thawed as required Rice: The experts say CUPBOARD Grains should be stored in an airtight container in the cupboard before they are cooked. Once cooked, rice, like leftovers, should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It should not be kept in the fridge for more than one day, Kate said. Pastries: The experts say CUPBOARD Leftover pastries should be kept in the cupboard and eaten within a few days. Canned fish: The experts say CUPBOARD UNTIL OPENED Canned fish is to be kept in the cupboard until it is opened. Once opened, it must be stored in the fridge. Fresh herbs: The experts say CUPBOARD Hardy fresh herbs like basil and mint can be stored in loose bags or jars, and are best kept at room temperature. Meat and fish: The experts say FRIDGE All meat products, including fish and chicken, should be kept in the fridge both raw and cooked. Leftovers: The experts say FRIDGE Leftovers should also be stored in the fridge. Lisa Brinkworth, 55, has demanded the BBC hand over film made after assault A journalist who went undercover as a model for a BBC expose in the 1990s has slammed the corporation for refusing to hand over vital evidence in her sexual assault case. Lisa Brinkworth, 55, says materials she filmed while working for Donal MacIntyre Investigates in 1998 could help in her legal action against Gerald Marie, 73. The former president of the European arm of Elite Models, Marie has been accused by fifteen women of sexually assaulting and raping girls as young as 14 because he thought virgins were 'unphotogenic'. Ms Brinkworth's legal team believe that the vital evidence will stop her case being thrown out of the French courts. Lisa Brinkworth said the BBC should cooperate with the alleged victims and hand over what her legal team believe to be 'objective' evidence Gerald Marie, 73, has been accused of raping girls as young as 14 while president of the European arm of Elite Models A judge has been appointed to assess the evidence submitted by the alleged victims. Ms Brinkworth told The Telegraph that the BBC must cooperate with the victims and their lawyers. She said she had repeatedly requested access to material she filmed in the aftermath of the alleged assault. 'I filmed my testimony in the immediate aftermath of the assault as my own personal record. On the recording, I am visibly shocked and it is obvious I have just undergone a traumatic experience. 'This tape was never intended for broadcast but still the BBC refuses to hand it over.' The journalist had been filming when she alleges Mr Marie pinned her down on a chair and attacked her. She had been posing as a model within the agency to expose the treatment of women within the industry. Her legal team has emphasised that despite public commitments from the BBC they have not received the footage or notebooks Ms Brinkworth used. French lawyer Anne-Claire Le Jeune said she believed the BBC held 'objective evidence'. 'Despite its statements of intent, the BBC has not provided us with all of the evidence they have, citing the confidentiality agreement they have with Elite.' The BBC aired the MacIntrye programme in November 1999, and it alleged that Ms Brinkworth was attacked in a nightclub in Milan, Italy, in October 1998. Elite Models took legal action against the corporation over the programme. A settlement in 2001 saw the BBC promise not to rebroadcast or share any of the material gathered in research - including the tape of Ms Brinkworth. She says that being unable to access the resources closer to the time of the assault stopped her from going to French police. Her case is currently hampered by a 20-year statute of limitations and her legal team fears that only the vital evidence they believe the BBC has will stop her case being thrown out. The BBC broadcast an expose on the fashion industry, including Elite Models, who took legal action against the corporation. Ms Brinkworth has gone undercover as a model during the investigation In 2019 the BBC released some of the material with a journalist investigating #MeToo. Ms Brinkworth said women involved with the case had reacted with shock when they discovered that the BBC had settled with Elite. 'They still see it as a betrayal. They were sickened by what happened.' She said the alleged victims would be writing to the BBC chairman to demand that he progress the case and said it was time for senior management to intervene. 'With a judge being appointed to look at all our evidence, it is crucial that all the evidence is ready at hand. 'I believe that if the BBC does not cooperate in the coming weeks, then they are using the settlement to shield a known and dangerous predator who has harmed countless lives.' Investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre said it was 'egregious' and 'unsettling' that the BBC was not co-operating. 'I am quite sure that when cool and dispassionate heads are applied to this matter, with the recognition that the licence fee payer expects the best of the BBC in these instances, that the board of governors will take control and put things right.' A spokesperson for the BBC said that they recognised that the issue was distressing for Ms Brinkworth. 'We take these matters very seriously and we know this is distressing for Lisa Brinkworth. 'Our lawyers have provided documents to the French investigators and to Lisa. We have been in discussions with Lisa and her lawyers on how we can help further as the legal process progresses.' Ms Brinkworth claimed in legal papers submitted last year that Marie, former boss of the Elite agency, wanted her dead because she claimed he sexually assaulted her. Prosecutors accused Marie of using the Russian Mafia to try and kill Ms Brinkworth, after she exposed him as a sex abuser. Marie said that the links with the death of TV presenter Jill Dando, who was murdered outside her home in Fulham in 1999, have been 'made up so as to try and get the statute of limitations removed.' President Joe Biden's personal attorney revealed that yet another batch of documents with classified markings were found in the Democrat's Wilmington, Delaware home on Saturday. It reportedly brings the total to some 25 to 30 pages found, as questions mount over why Biden had them and why the White House took months to disclose their existence. Meanwhile the president's critics have also lashed out at him for openly mocking his predecessor Donald Trump's ongoing debacle with his own classified documents - which resulted in an FBI raid on his Florida mansion in August. Biden called Trump's mishandling of files, hundreds of which were recovered from Mar-a-Lago in the raid, 'irresponsible' during a September interview with 60 Minutes. More recently, however, he's been focused on downplaying his own growing scandal. It comes as a new ABC News/Ipsos poll shows 64 percent of Americans believe Biden's handling of classified documents was 'inappropriate.' The president has insisted that he and his team are being transparent and cooperative with investigators. He's also brushed off reporters' questions on the matter and outright ignored them at times. Saturday's discovery was made just four days after Biden insisted he had 'no regrets' in his handling of classified files. Below, DailyMail.com has compiled a comprehensive timeline of what happened and when - and what the White House had to say about it. November 2: Classified documents found The president's personal lawyers found a small number of classified documents, reportedly 10, in a Washington, DC think tank where Biden previously held a private office. Those documents dated to Biden's time as vice president and were among his private possessions in a locked closet at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement. The National Archives were contacted and took possession of the documents the next day. On November 4, the Archives alerted the Justice Department that some of those documents had classified markings. November 9: FBI opens investigation into whether anything violated federal law President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents has come under intense scrutiny amid a parade of continuous reports about more files being found Just a day after the November 8 midterm elections, the Justice Department quietly opened an investigation 'to understand whether classified information had been mishandled in violation of federal law.' Attorney General Merrick Garland, who revealed that probe two months later on January 12, said it was opened in line with 'standard protocols' by the FBI. November 14: Garland taps Trump appointee to examine files The following Monday, Garland chose John Lausch - then U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois - to look into how the documents ended up at the Penn Biden Center. Lausch, who has received bipartisan praise, was appointed by Trump in 2017. December 20: Bidens lawyer tells US attorney about documents in Bidens garage In late December, the president's attorney alerted Lausch to more classified documents that were found in Biden's private Delaware residence in the upscale Wilmington neighborhood of Greenville. They were found in a room adjacent his garage, according to a statement from the White House Counsel's Office. At this point in the timeline, the documents' existence had still not been made public. This image shows stacks of paper in Biden's garage as he backs his corvette into his garage. Biden critics have suggested the paper could be the classified documents, though the claim has not been verified in any way January 9: White House tells the public about Penn Biden Center records The White House Counsel's Office finally did inform the public of the classified files found at the Penn Biden Center on January 9, after CBS News first broke the story. Questions immediately arose from Biden critics over whether there were 'political' motives to keeping the documents a secret less than a week before the midterm elections. January 10: Biden says he was surprised about Penn Biden Center records The president made his first public comments on the matter the next day, after previously ignoring reporters' shouted questions while he was in Mexico for the 'Three Amigos' summit with his counterparts from Mexico City and Ottawa. He finally broke his silence during a press conference held by all three leaders, telling reporters that he was taking the matter 'seriously.' 'We are cooperating fully with the review, which I hope will be finished soon,' Biden said at the time. He also claimed, 'I was briefed about this discovery and surprised to learn that there were any government records that were taken there to that office, but I don't know what's in the documents.' January 11: One more document found in Wilmington Biden's attorney found an additional document in his Wilmington, Delaware home on Wednesday, January 11, according to NBC News. The DOJ and Attorney General Merrick Garland were alerted to it the next day, when Garland confirmed its existence in his own press conference. January 12: DOJ appoints special counsel Garland held a press conference on January 12 announcing he was appointing former US attorney Robert Hur as special counsel to oversee Biden's handling of classified documents. It came after mounting pressure to make such a move; Garland appointed Special Counsel Jack Smith to oversee Trump's own classified documents debacle nearly two months earlier. January 12: Biden says he takes classified materials seriously That same day, Biden told the press once again that he takes classified matters 'seriously.' But Republicans bashed his words as empty platitudes, citing the continuous disclosures of new discoveries as proof the president was careless with classified records. 'As I said earlier this week, people know I take classified documents and classified materials seriously,' Biden said. He made the comments at the tail end of an address about the economy. Biden added, 'I also said were cooperating fully and completely with the Justice Departments review.' January 14: Five more pages found in Wilmington The same day Garland appointed the special counsel, Justice Department investigators who were on site to collect the additional page were made aware of five more papers with classified markings at Biden's home. 'While I was transferring it to the DOJ officials who accompanied me, five additional pages with classification markings were discovered among the material with it, for a total of six pages. The DOJ officials with me immediately took possession of them,' said Richard Sauber, special counsel to the president. The office building housing the Penn-Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington, D.C where President Joe Biden's personal lawyers handed over documents, which date from Biden's time as the vice president to the Justice Department. Pictures of the entrance to President Joe Biden's lake front home in Wilmington, DE January 15: Republicans seek more information on Wilmington home House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer sent a letter to the Biden administration on Sunday, January 15 asking for a list of people who had access to the Wilmington address where the classified documents were found. He also demanded and 'communications related to the search.' Comer gave officials until the end of the month to respond, but the White House has indicated that it has no interest in humoring Republicans' probes. January 16: White House says there are no visitor logs and calls Republicans 'hypocritical' White House spokesman Ian Sams went on the offensive the following day, telling multiple outlets, 'House Republicans are playing politics in a shamelessly hypocritical attempt to attack President Biden.' That day, the White House also said there were no visitor logs available for Biden's Wilmington home, despite the significant amount of time he spends there, citing its status as a private residence. January 17: Biden ignores reporters shouted questions Three days after that discovery was made public, Biden was all smiles as he ignored reporters' shouted questions about the documents just before a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands. One member of the press could be heard asking whether the president will speak with Special Counsel Hur, according to Fox News - a query Biden likewise left unanswered. January 19: Biden says I have no regrets about classified documents Biden continued to be defiant in the face of growing questions about his possession of classified documents as the scandal continued to overshadow his daily presidential duties. While on a trip surveying storm damage in California, Biden told the press: 'I think youre going to find theres nothing there. I have no regrets, Im following what the lawyers have told me they want me to do.' 'There's no there there,' he added. Republican National Committee Spokeswoman Ronna McDaniel tore into the president over the remark, telling DailyMail.com that Biden was a 'hypocrite who can't be trusted.' January 20: White House refuses to comment as Biden heads to Rehoboth White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre capped off a contentious week in the briefing room by shutting down queries on the classified documents. Asked about Biden's statement earlier that week while touring storm damage, Jean-Pierre said, 'I'm not going to get into specifics, or I'm not going to go beyond what the president has said.' Before that she would not even entertain a question on her announcement that Biden would be spending the weekend at his beachfront property in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware rather than his Wilmington home. A reporter asked if that had anything to do with the classified documents found at the latter residence. 'I'm not going to comment on that piece at all from here. I'm just going to continue to be prudent and consistent and respect the Department of Justice process,' the press secretary said. January 21: DOJ find additional documents with classified markings Sure enough, the day after the White House refused to elaborate on Biden's weekend movements, it was announced that six additional items were recovered by Justice Department investigators who had been conducting a search at the Wilmington home. It's not immediately clear how many of the six documents revealed on Saturday were top secret in nature, but at least some had 'classified markings,' per a statement by Biden's private lawyer. The apparently exhaustive search took over 12 hours. 'DOJ requested that the search not be made public in advance, in accordance with its standard procedures, and we agreed to cooperate,' the lawyer said. The wife and family of disgraced reality TV star Josh Duggar regularly visit him as he serves his 151-month prison sentence for possession of child pornography, sources have said. Duggar, 34, who grew up starring in the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting, was found guilty last December of downloading a trove of 'the worst of the worst' child porn. Despite his vile crime, sources told the US Sun Duggar's wife Anna and their seven children visit FCI Seagoville in Dallas, Texas, where he is incarcerated 'fairly regularly.' The prison is reported to be 'dangerous' and poorly run. Last month Duggar claimed in a court filing he was 'restrained' by police during interrogation after his arrest, and that Caleb Williams, his employer and a registered sex offender, was the one who committed the child pornography crime. Josh Duggar, 34, was sentence to 151-months in prison for possessing child porn Josh Duggar with his wife Anna and their six children. He now has seven kids The family member of another inmate at FCI Seagoville said she's seen the Duggars at the prison on numerous occasions. 'We've seen Anna at visitation fairly regularly. I've spoken to Anna a couple of times. Normally the only thing I've seen is Anna and then their kids,' they said. 'I don't really know anybody else.' The source said the prison provided 'board games and blocks' in the visitation area to keep children occupied, but that otherwise it could be very difficult for families to visit. She said the prison doesn't allow visitors to wear any clothing that could be viewed as provocative, and that their rules sometimes change visit to visit. FCI Seagoville in Dallas, Texas. The prison is reported to be 'dangerous' and poorly run Duggar with his wife and children. He was sentenced to 151-months in prison for possessing child pornography 'It's kind of a crapshoot on whatever they're going to say is out of policy today. I've had a guard tell me that I had too many bobby pins in my hair to go in or like my mask was the wrong color,' the source said. 'They tried to turn me away because I was wearing a dress. I had worn the same dress the week before and they said it was fine, but this time they said it was too sexually provocative.' The source added that visitors are often left 'waiting for hours.' 'There's always a delay. A couple of weeks back, they said that the electricity was down. It goes in and out all the time so they use it as an excuse to make us wait for a couple of hours before we could get in. Josh Duggar holds hands with his wife Anna while leaving court during his child pornography trial Josh and Anna Duggar hold hands while he was on trial for possessing child pornography The source said it can be difficult just to get inside, and that visitors are admitted on a first-come first-served basis. 'Visitation is supposed to start at 8:15am and run until 3:30pm. I get there around 7:00am just to be early in the line,' the source said. 'And they start processing us anytime between 8:15am to 9:30am. Just kind of whenever they feel like it.' The source added that visitation usually ends up to an hour earlier than it is supposed to, and that while there sit on 'plastic chairs' in a 'really cold' room while talking to their imprisoned loved ones. 'Sometimes there's food in the vending machines, but often it'll go for weeks at a time with nothing. It's very uncomfortable.' 'Partners are allowed to have a kiss and a hug at the beginning and the end of visitation. Up until a couple of weeks ago they actually allowed inmates and visitors to hold hands. It was really lovely.' 'But they rotated another guard onto the shift and now they're not allowing that anymore.' Josh Duggar appeared on the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting The Duggar family on their TLC show, 19 Kids and Counting Sources close to the prison have previously claimed FCI Seagoville often serves inmates severely expired food, goes weeks without heat or hot water even in the dead of winter, and has a faulty power system that falls back on equally unreliable generators. A source also told the US Sun 'there's not really much security around because they're dramatically understaffed.' 'The prison has pretty heavy politics, which means there are gangs in it. Fortunately, it is nowhere near as violent as a medium-security facility. It's not actually a very violent facility.' 'But it is just a dangerous situation, given the level of neglect and so I know that my family member has felt concerned for his, I guess I would say he's always concerned for his well-being, even if he feels physically safe.' FCI Seagoville in Dallas, Texas. The prison reportedly is frequently without power and heat Josh Duggar in a 2021 mug shot. He was found guilty of possessing child pornography Duggar made headlines in 2015 when police reports stating that he had molested four of his young sisters when he was 12 became public. His parents said he had confessed to the fondling and apologized. During his child pornography trial learned Duggar scoured the dark web for sick videos of little girls being tortured, humiliated and abused. Graphic titles such as 'pedo mom,' 'play tot sweetie', 'Daisy's destruction' and 'ultra hard pedo pedofilia', left little to the imagination. One video ended with a girl being caged in a dog kennel. Another series of images depicted a minor being raped by a male adult. The videos were downloaded between May 14 and 16, 2019. The warped cache was so disturbing that a seasoned FBI child exploitation investigator said it was 'in the top five of the worst of the worst that I've ever had to examine.' At the time of the trial, defense lawyers contended that a former employee or hacker could have exploited Duggar's lax internet security to hijack his computer and remotely download the material without anyone knowing. Josh Duggar (back right) with his many siblings on the show 19 Kids and Counting Duggar is now asking for a new trial, alleging armed officers kept him from contacting his attorney and forced him into an interrogation during his arrest. In his court filing he claimed he was 'blindsided' by the ambush and was only allowed to leave per officers' orders. 'Duggar immediately took out his phone and said he was calling his attorney. [An agent] took the phone from Duggars hand, preventing him from calling counsel,' the filing reads. But, federal officials responded to Duggars claims and insisted: 'Duggar was allegedly told he was free to leave.' 'The Government also contends Duggar was not restrained,' the filing continued. 'But restraint is about more than being handcuffed. 'Duggar was placed in a police vehicle with two armed agents. He was told his attorney could not join him after he attempted to call counsel, and he had no access to a vehicle. His lawyers argued that anyone in Duggar's position should have felt 'deprived of his freedom of action in any significant way.' Labour MP Lloyd Russell was today urged to apologise for his behaviour during a Commons gender identity debate. Shadow Treasury minister Pat McFadden said it was 'tragic' that one of the party's own MPs Rosie Duffield felt she could not express her views without being shouted down. Ms Duffield, a campaigner for women's rights and critic of looser gender identity laws, spoke out on Friday after she was jeered by male colleagues in the House. The Canterbury MP said one veteran 'yelled his disapproval at me' and Mr Russell-Moyle 'started to heckle every woman who spoke of their similar concerns'. Labour MP Rosie Duffield, a campaigner for women's rights, spoke out on Friday after she was jeered by male colleagues in the House of Commons The Canterbury MP said one veteran 'yelled his disapproval at me' and before Mr Russell-Moyle (pictured) 'started to heckle every woman who spoke of their similar concerns' Mr Russell-Moyle later conceded that he 'failed to control his passion' during the debate, but has been criticised for stopping short of a full apology. Speaking to Times Radio this morning, Mr McFadden said: 'I thought it was bad, tragic that a debate about such sensitive issues, with deeply held, sincerely held views, that Rosie didn't feel that she could express those views without that response in Parliament. 'People are entitled to agree or disagree with what she said that's fair enough. And entitled to feel strongly about it. 'But on this issue, which is maybe not a new issue for society, but it's quite a new issue for politics, and for legislation, we have got to work through these things with care and with sensitivity. And that's not what she experienced in parliament the other day.' Mr McFadden said whether to discipline Mr Russell-Moyle was 'an issue for the whips'. 'He certainly shouldn't have done it. I don't know what was in his mind. He probably should apologise,' he added. In her article for the Unherd website on Friday, Ms Duffield admitted she would struggle to convince voters that Labour was not sexist. She said she was 'defending the need to protect vulnerable women in single-sex spaces' during a heated debate about Scotland's Gender Reform Bill, which would have given 16-year-olds the right to change sex but is being blocked by ministers for fear of its impact across the UK. She also wrote: 'When I come home at night I feel low-level trauma at my political isolation.' The actor has said he will fight 'involuntary manslaughter' charges and win The only suitable charge would be 'unintentional battery' - which doesn't exist Alec Baldwin will not be charged for shooting the Rust director Joel Souza even though he was hit by the same bullet that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The New Mexico DA has said Baldwin will not be charged for injuring Souza because there is no 'unintentional battery' charge that would apply. Battery generally required intention and the prosecutors are not alleging that Baldwin had any intention to fire the bullet. In the case of Hutchins he is being charged with 'involuntary manslaughter', it was announced last week. Souza was hospitalized after the shooting on the set of Rust in October 2021. It was recently reported that the filming is due to resume and that Souza will return to his role of director. The Sante Fe District Attorney's office is also seeking the involuntary manslaughter charge for the armorer on set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Alec Baldwin will not be charged for shooting the Rust director Joel Souza even though he was hit by the same bullet that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins Joel Souza (pictured) was hospitalized after the shooting on the set of Rust in October 2021 While filming their Western movie Rust on the outskirts of Santa Fe, Alec Baldwin accidentally shot Halyna Hutchins and director Joel Souza. Baldwin had been practicing drawing his gun from his holster when a round from the revolver pierced Souza's shoulder and went directly into Hutchins' chest. The actor insisted during an interview with police that he had been told the gun was 'cold' when it was handed to him and, crucially, that he did not pull the trigger. Baldwin has refuted an FBI report which claims he must have pulled the trigger for the gun to go off. 'We've done this for two weeks and we've done it the right way every day. Right before you shoot. I went to lunch. 'She disarmed me - Hannah - she always handled the gun. I come back, they hand me the revolver - Hannah - they arm me. You're assuming it's a cold gun. I put the gag in the shot. 'I take the gun out, as it clears - I turn and cock the gun and the gun goes off. It's supposed to be a cold gun. Bang, she [Hutchins] hits the ground. [Joel Souza] goes down, screaming going 'Jesus Christ!' Baldwin has vowed to fight the charges, calling them a 'terrible miscarriage of justice'. He and Gutierrez-Reed are facing a maximum of 18 months in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter. If they're also convicted of a firearm enhancement on that charge, they'll face a mandatory five-year prison sentence. Dave Halls, the Assistant Director, has pleaded guilty to the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon and was handed a six-month suspended sentence. In a statement, Baldwin's attorney said: 'This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins' tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice. Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun or anywhere on the movie set. Mary Carmack-Altwies (pictured), the First Judicial District Attorney in New Mexico, accused Baldwin of running a 'fast and loose' set Hutchins with her son and her husband Matthew Baldwin is seen on October 21, 2021, after speaking to investigators about the fatal shooting But Mary Carmack-Altwies, the First Judicial District Attorney in New Mexico, is standing firm. In an interview after the announcement with CNN, she said Baldwin did pull the trigger - and that he ran a 'fast and loose set' that was plagued with safety issues. Baldwin may be facing additional culpability because he was also a producer of the film. Carmack-Altwies said: 'There was such a lack of safety and safety standards on that set. There were live rounds on set, they were mixed in with dummy rounds. 'Nobody was checking those or at least they weren't checking them consistently. 'They somehow got loaded into a gun, handed off to Alec Baldwin, he didn't check it, he didn't do what he was supposed to do to make sure he was safe or make sure anyone else was safe. 'He pointed the gun at Halyna Hutchins and he pulled the trigger.' She said a 'totality of the circumstances' led to the decision, adding: 'This was a really fast and loose set. And that nobody was doing their job.' While it may have been an accident, she said Baldwin 'doesn't get a free pass' because he's a star. Baldwin's wife told a group of photographers waiting outside their Manhattan apartment that she and her children need space This comes after Baldwin's wife told a group of photographers waiting outside their Manhattan apartment that she and her children need space. She came under criticism though for doing so in a fake Spanish accent. The born-and-bred Bostonian, 39, apologized two years ago for faking a Spanish accent and claimed she had been raised with two cultures. Hilaria - who was born Hillary Lynn Hayward-Thomas - appeared to slip back into her old accent as she dodged questions about her husband's involuntary manslaughter charge. Barclays are to close a High Street branch after it emerged there is only one regular customer who does all his banking there. Although other people use the branch on Tower Bridge Road in Bermondsey, south east London, only Peter Wisby, 84 uses it for all his banking. Mr Wisby, who lost his leg in a 2003 motorbike accident, has never used the internet and doesn't have a smartphone. He struggles with mobility and the closure will leave him and his wife Eileen, 81, with a two mile trip to the two remaining nearest branches. Peter Wisby (right) and wife Eileen (left) have never used the internet and refuse to use a cash machine because it is 'too dangerous' The branches on Borough High Street and Rye Lane, in Southwark, are far beyond walking-distance, as is the Fenchurch Street branch near Whitechapel. Last week, a reporter attending the bank saw at least six people queuing to use its services, the majority of whom were waiting to speak to a member of staff on a till. The couple already had to bank further away from home when the Southwark Park Road Barclays closed a few years ago. They will not take money out from a hole in the wall 'because they are too dangerous.' Neither Mr or Mrs Wisby have ever used the internet and they refuse to try online banking. The most up-to-date piece of technology they have is Eileen's mobile which she can 'just about send a text on.' Both fear being scammed and worry that moving to online and mobile banking makes them more vulnerable. A Barclays member of staff normally does all the work for them but Mr Wisby says the bank is lying when it says he is the only regular customer. He said: 'They just tell a pack of lies. They say people aren't using the banks but it's because they are putting obstacles in the way all the time. 'For example, they keep closing the tills with people on and telling us to use the machines, I say I'm not going to use the machines because I am putting you out of work. 'Over the last year they deliberately shut the tills down, and then reluctantly they will open the till when I kick up a fuss. 'They want to force us onto cards because it's in their interests. 'They said in a letter that "it's in our interest". Well how in God's name is it in our interest if you shut it down? 'I said to the women who work there: "What are you going to do when they shut it down?" 'They said they were promised it wouldn't get shut down, but sure enough, they have to leave now. 'You get a lot of people and they just have a natural aptitude with a keyboard and I've never tried online banking, I refuse to do it.' Mrs Wisby explained it would be really difficult for either of them to get to the next closest branches. She said: 'They said in the letter it was Borough High Street or Fenchurch Street, there's no way we can get to either one every week. 'I could use the Post Office to get money out but we won't use machines because it's too dangerous. 'But that's only a little Post Office, so what if they shut that one down? Although other people use the branch on Tower Bridge Road in Bermondsey (pictured), south east London, only Mr Wisby uses it for all his banking 'They're trying to force this banking online on us, I've got a mobile that my grandkids bought me, and I can use it to text. 'They said they'd show me how to bank online on it, I said "no way".' They were recently the victims of a scam, involving someone using their account to buy hundreds of pounds worth of goods online from Just Eat and Debenhams. Peter said: 'The other week [we] were looking at the bank statement read out and it had 150 Just Eat and 150 Debenhams, both online, and we don't use online. 'The more you use the system the banks are forcing on us the more it's easy for people to do fraud.' A Barclays spokesperson said: 'We do have more than one customer who uses the branch to undertake their banking. 'However, we have identified that only one customer uses this branch regularly as the only way in which they interact with us. i.e. they do not bank by telephone, online or by mobile or use any other branches. 'Our customers' behaviour has changed significantly in recent years, with the majority now choosing online banking. 'This is reflected at Bermondsey Tower Bridge Road branch, and as we adapt, we are finding new ways to support our customers by maintaining our community presence with options for customers who still require in-person support. 'We plan to open a Barclays Local - a pop-up cashless banking site where customers can meet a colleague face-to-face for banking support, as they would in a branch and without the need to travel. 'We are currently working with the local community to identify a suitable location and will announce details once confirmed.' VP noted 'liberty and the pursuit of happiness' but not say Americans have a right to 'life' Kamala Harris left out one of the three rights listed in the U.S. Declaration Kamala Harris conveniently left out the right to 'life' part of the Declaration of Independence during her remarks pushing the administration's new plan to tackle abortion rights. The vice president attacked Florida Governor Ron DeSantis from the ground in Tallahassee on Thursday with remarks announcing new nationwide protections for access to abortion pills and denounced the Sunshine State's new abortion laws. Harris was deployed to Florida by the White House to commemorate what would have been the 50 year anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, which was overturned by the Supreme Court in June. 'We are here today because we collectively believe and know, America is a promise it is a promise of freedom and liberty,' Harris said during 18-minute long remarks on Sunday. 'Not for some, but for all,' she insisted. 'A promise that we made in the Declaration of Independence that we are each endowed with the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness.' Vice President Kamala Harris said during remarks marking the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade that all Americans are promised 'liberty and the pursuit of happiness' but did not mention the third right to 'life' A mural was set up before Harris' arrival in Tallahassee, Florida on Sunday reading 'how dare they' to commemorate they 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and the Supreme Court ruling in June that overturned that landmark abortion rights decision The vice president, however, did not directly quote the entire iconic portion of the U.S. Declaration, which states: '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 is no coincidence that Harris left out the right to 'life' in remarks pushing for a woman's right to decide whether she will carry her baby to term. The March for Life convened thousands of anti-abortion advocates in Washington, D.C. on Saturday with celebrations of the first rally since the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Marchers held signs promoting their status as being part of the 'post-Roe generation.' President Joe Biden went on the attack earlier Sunday against Republicans and the 6-3 conservative Supreme Court when issuing a presidential memorandum protecting access to the abortion pill. Harris made the new directive official with her announcement in Tallahassee later in the afternoon. The Supreme Court in June overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, issuing a ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization that stripped federal protections for abortion and gave the rights back to the states. 'Today, instead of commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, we are acknowledging that last year, the Supreme Court took away a constitutional right from the American people,' Biden wrote in a statement Sunday. Harris, donning an all-green pants suit, slammed Florida during her remarks from the Sunshine State's capital for imposing a 1 5-week ban on abortion with the only exception being to save the mother's life Several states immediately enacted new laws following the Supreme Court decision in June that restricted abortions rights some states more radical than others. In Florida, even before the Supreme Court decision, Governor DeSantis signed a bill making abortion in the state unlawful after 15 weeks. The only exceptions are if the procedure is necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman or prevent serious injury to the fetus. It does not, however, allow exemptions in cases where pregnancies were caused by rape, incest or human trafficking. Harris brought up this new law during her remarks, which drew sharp boos from the crowd gathered in Florida's capital. 'Here in Florida, healthcare providers face prison for up to five years for simply doing their job,' the vice president lamented. 'And now the state has also targeted medication abortion and even threatened Florida pharmacists.' 'The government should not be telling people what to do with their own bodies,' Harris insisted. President Joe Biden issued a Presidential Memorandum Sunday protecting access nationwide to the abortion pill The Supreme Court ruled in June against Roe v. Wade, which stripped federal abortion protections and send the issue back to the states. Pictured: Demonstrators with the March for Life rally in Washington, D.C. on Saturday for the first event since the overturn of Roe v. Wade Florida Republicans have often pointed to what they claim is hypocrisy from the federal government on the issue of 'my body, my choice.' While abortion advocates push for the ability of women to control whether they carry a pregnancy to term or not, they are also many times the same people pushing for compulsory COVID-19 vaccines or vaccine mandates as a condition of employment. Harris announced in her remarks the administration's new plan 'ensuring safe access to medication abortion.' The presidential memo issued by Biden specifically referenced the drug mifepristone, which is a pill used to induce a medical abortion or force a miscarriage. Combined with misoprostol, the drug is 97 percent effective during the first 63 days of pregnancy and can also be effective in the second trimester. 'Democrats are proudly cheerleading barbaric policies to allow unrestricted abortions including infanticide. That's all anyone needs to know,' The Republican Party of Florida wrote in a statement on Harris' upcoming remarks. The 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade has brought about a flurry of reactions from both sides of the abortion arguments. Demonstrators at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. on Saturday was the first time the gathering happened in the post-Roe landscape. Thousands of pro-life marchers celebrated the Supreme Court decision. Meanwhile, pro-abortion groups and activists have decried the decision and labeled it a massive step back in the fight for women's rights. 'Despite how unpopular and dangerous their agenda is, Republicans are racing against themselves to take away Americans' freedoms and they're not slowing down,' the Democratic National Party wrote in a statement on the 50th anniversary. Biden released a statement Sunday morning bashing Republicans and the Supreme Court for the decision to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision The administration's announcements on Sunday announced that it would protect access to the abortion pill mifepristone 'no matter where they live' The president, in his statement Sunday morning, again called on Congress to codify abortion protections into law a feat that is now even more unlikely with the GOP-majority House. 'Since the Supreme Court's decision, Americans, time and time again, have made their voices heard: women should be able to make these deeply personal decisions free from political interference,' Biden said. 'Yet, Republicans in Congress and across the country continue to push for a national abortion ban, to criminalize doctors and nurses, and to make contraception harder to access. It's dangerous, extreme, and out of touch,' he added. 'I'll continue to fight to protect a woman's right to choose.' 'Congress must restore the protections of Roe v. Wade in federal law it's the only way we can fully secure a woman's right to choose in every state.' One tactic Democrats are looking to employ now that states can restrict abortion rights seemingly unchecked, is by making sure all women have access to the abortion pill. 'Since the day of the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, President Biden has emphasized the need to protect access to mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortion that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for over 20 years and accounts for the majority of all abortions in the United States,' a White House fact sheet noted. The Presidential Memorandum announced that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) along with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) will consider new guidance to support patients and providers, as well as pharmacies looking to legally prescribe or provide access to mifepristone. This protection would apply to all women 'no matter where they live.' The second part of the memo is meant to make sure that those seeking the abortion pill are able to access it 'free from threats or violence.' 'The President has long made clear that people should have access to reproductive care free from harassment, threats, or violence,' the White House fact sheet notes. 'Pharmacies should be treated no differently.' Dame Vivienne Westwood's last request before her death was that her funeral in her local Derbyshire church be decorated with tartan worth 45,000 in an intimate ceremony for family only. The punk icon, who died aged 81, on December 29, was laid to rest in her home town of Tintwhistle, where she grew up. Mark Greig and his wife Julie, of Harris Tweed Scotland, were asked if they would help fulfil the fashion designer's last request which was for 45 metres of Harris Tweed cloth to be used to decorate the church. Dame Vivienne told her closest friend, the British designer Jeff Banks, that she wanted the church where her funeral service was to be held to be swathed in her beloved MacLeod tartan Harris Tweed, which she used in several of her collections. Dame Vivienne Westwood died peacefully at the age of 81 on December 29, before her funeral was held earlier this month Christ Church in Tintwistle, Derbyshire, was decorated with 45m of tartan for Dame Vivienne's private funeral The church was decorated with reams of the fabric, before some of it was quietly smuggled away by locals who wanted a souvenir of their hometown hero. Dame Vivienne is credited with changing the fashion world forever as she burst onto the scene with her punk clothing and unique talent - and often used tartan in her work. Mr and Mrs Greig told how they drove from their home in Bothwell, Lanarkshire to Burnley in Lancashire to hand deliver the fabric after a courier firm let them down. They received an email on Hogmanay from Mr Banks' PA, who said she was urgently trying to source Harris Tweed for the service, which was held earlier this month. Mr Greig said: 'That then progressed to this wonderful story that unfolded. 'Vivienne Westwood's last request was that she had a small, family funeral. 'It wasn't to be lavish, it wasn't to be put all over the press, it was for family only in a small, run-down church. 'She wanted the church to be spruced up in her favourite Harris Tweed.' The firm in Bothwell, South Lanarkshire, is run independently from Harris Tweed, who allow the couple to use their brand name. Around 45,000 was spent decorating Christ Church, in the village where Vivienne Westwood grew up. The fabric was draped along the upper levels of the church with Harris Tweed cushions placed on pews for close family. MacLeod tartan used in the Vivienne Westwood Autumn/winter 2014/15 Collection The Vivienne Foundation, a not-for-profit company founded by Dame Vivienne, her sons and grand-daughter in late 2022, will launch next year to 'honour, protect and continue the legacy of Vivienne's life, design and activism' Paloma Faith pictured in MacLeod tartan in 2014, wearing an outfit designed by Dame Vivienne Floral tributes were lain outside a south London house belonging to British fashion icon Vivienne Westwood in the days after her death A well-wisher leaves flowers outside British designer Vivienne Westwood's Worlds End store in Chelsea, west London on December 30, 2022 At the end of each pew were dried flowers tied up in bows with the tweed. Mr Greig said: 'The really interesting part about it... there are hundreds of different tweeds to choose from but it had to be the MacLeod tartan. 'That was Vivienne Westwood's favourite Harris Tweed. 'You normally have to buy Harris Tweed fabric from the mills in Harris, it's not freely available, particularly 45 metres of it, which is a lot of fabric. 'They came to us on the Saturday and everywhere was shut. 'No one was answering the phone because it's Hogmanay and it's Scotland and our phone is pretty much always on. 'Unfortunately we don't keep huge stocks of Harris Tweed because there are so many, that it's impossible to keep rolls and rolls,' he said. 'By sheer luck we had a full roll of Macleod Harris Tweed fabric.' The couple then had to work out the fastest way to get the fabric delivered to the church. They booked a specialised courier to transport it because of the huge length and weight but the company failed to arrive. Mr Greig said: 'The alarm bells started ringing. 'We were in charge of providing the fabric to Vivienne Westwood's funeral and they needed that fabric by Friday. 'We made the decision that we had to personally deliver the fabric.' Vivienne Westwood's family were 'blown away' by their efforts to make sure the designer's wishes were fulfilled. Mr Greig said: 'Alison, Jeff Banks' PA lived in Burnley and we drove there to hand deliver the roll of fabric. 'If we had had to jump on a plane, that's what we would have done. 'They got into the church the following week to dress the church up. 'I believe there was a cost of around 45,000 to decorate the church the way she wanted.' He said his wife received a thank you letter from Jeff Banks and a Vivienne Westwood necklace after the funeral. Mr Greig said: 'He said she would have loved the service and it was her favourite Harris Tweed.' Jeff Banks, who launched BBC fashion show The Clothes Show in 1986, revealed that the cushions were pinched by locals after the service. Mr Greig added: 'They wanted to leave the cushions in the church so they could be there for ever but the locals got wind of it and decided they wanted a wee bit of Vivienne. 'The cushions all went for a walk but the Harris Tweed was recycled and given to a fashion college. 'We provide a lot of Harris Tweed world-wide but in the grand scheme of things we are just a small business. 'We treated it like any other order that we get but obviously this was very, very special.' Vivienne Isabel Swire was born on April 8, 1941, in Tintwistle, Derbyshire, the eldest of three children to working-class parents who encouraged their children to be creative. By her early teens, she was taking apart second-hand clothes from markets to better understand the cut and construction, and had an extraordinary belief in her innate talent. 'Honestly,' she once said, 'at the age of five I could have made a pair of shoes.' The designer died at the age of 81 'peacefully, and surrounded by her family' in London's Clapham, her representative said. In a statement, her husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler said: 'I will continue with Vivienne in my heart. 'We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with. Thank you darling. The statement from her representatives added: 'Vivienne continued to do the things she loved, up until the last moment, designing, working on her art, writing her book, and changing the world for the better. 'She led an amazing life. Her innovation and impact over the last 60 years has been immense and will continue into the future.' It also said that The Vivienne Foundation, a not-for-profit company founded by Dame Vivienne, her sons and grand-daughter in late 2022, will launch next year to 'honour, protect and continue the legacy of Vivienne's life, design and activism'. City council was mostly all aboard with a feasibility study on restoring passenger rail service to Wilkes-Barre, but the mayor slammed on the brakes. Council voted 4-1 to approve a resolution authorizing the administration to enter into a $100,000 contract with Transportation Economics and Management Systems Inc. to conduct the study following a presentation by the company president and comment from the mayor, the city controller and members of the public. Alexander Metcalf, the company president, recommended the study consider two potential routes to Philadelphia one via Jim Thorpe, Allentown and Bethlehem and the other via Tamaqua, Reading and Norristown and one to Washington, D.C., via Harrisburg. He estimated the study would take about six months to complete. Metcalf said the study would: Identify the economic benefits of such a project to communities along the potential corridor. Estimate improvements in employment, income and property values for residents and increased income and property taxes for governments. Estimate the impact of better access to markets, jobs, income and social leisure facilities of the Philadelphia region and Northeast Corridor. Metcalf said for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to recommend establishing a corridor to Amtrak, the study would have to show that economic benefits outweigh the costs. Metcalf said now is an opportune time to commission a study because there is quite a lot of money sloshing around Washington, D.C., and if we move up the timeline for the study, we should be able to help you apply for significant federal funding of (subsequent necessary studies), and also in terms of the actual development of passenger rail service itself. Councilman Bill Barrett, who eventually voted against the resolution, asked for input from Mayor George Brown. In 1951, passengers wait to board a train at the Lehigh Valley Railroad station in Allentown. Commuter rail service from the Lehigh Valley ended 30 years later. Brown commended city Controller Darren Snyder for his initiative in working with TEMS staff and pushing for the study, and said he wasnt averse to the concept. However, he has concerns. Brown said that at Snyders request, prior to the council meeting, his administration reviewed the TEMS proposal and had a Zoom meeting with TEMS staff. Soon after, Amtrak reached out to his administration and asked for a Zoom meeting. At that meeting, Amtrak indicated there were currently no plans for a passenger rail line between Reading and Wilkes-Barre; that PennDOT is the only entity with the authority to plan for the use of funding from the federal infrastructure bill; and that PennDOT is currently developing procedures for allocation and use of that federal funding, Brown said. Brown said federal funds will be available to the city for another 21/2 years, and his administration will re-address the issue if PennDOT indicates support. In the interim, the city has multiple, significant infrastructure projects of vital importance to city residents physical and financial wellbeing for which the $100,000 would be better afforded, Brown said. Council Chairwoman Beth Gilbert McBride asked Metcalf to clarify his position on PennDOT. Metcalf said any government agency or Amtrak can apply for a grant and the city doesnt have to go through PennDOT in order to receive one, but for the project to advance, it would have to be included in the states infrastructure plan. PennDOTs position has always been that it has its hands full with developing the Philadelphia/Harrisburg/Pittsburgh Corridor and really finds it a distraction to be dealing with other corridors that are to be developed. As a result, I think theres been a certain amount of resistance by PennDOT to the idea that communities could basically begin the process on their own, Metcalf said. But, Metcalf pointed out, Reading and Scranton officials both commissioned their own studies and not long after became part of Amtraks expansion plans, with Amtrak foreseeing three trains per day traveling from Reading to Philadelphia. It would put pressure on both PennDOT and Amtrak to be more responsive to you and to help you in the future if we establish there is a very good case to be made for providing rail service from Wilkes-Barre to the Northeast Corridor, Metcalf said. Most members of the public who spoke at the meeting supported the study. After the meeting, Brown said he and Snyder would meet with PennDOT officials to further discuss the situation. A prominent Democratic Senator has slammed Joe Biden's handling of classified documents days after files were found at the current head of state's home in Delaware, calling his handling of sensitive materials 'unacceptable.' Appearing for an interview Sunday, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin chided the president for his decisions - labeling them careless, and likening them to the actions of the president's embattled predecessor, Donald Trump. The documents recovered Saturday from Biden's Wilmington residence range from his three-decade tenure in the Senate and his time as vice president, and reportedly brings the total number of classified files found to between 25 and 30. It's not immediately clear how many of the six documents unveiled were top secret in nature - though The DOJ searched the property for more than 12 hours, a statement from the president's personal lawyer said. The long and winding document trail has raised concerns over the president's decision making, as officials discern whether his hoarding of the documents in his garage - next to his vintage Corvette - constitutes a breach of national security. Scroll down for video: Appearing on CNN Sunday, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin chided the president for his decisions, labeling them careless, and likening them to the actions of his embattled predecessor The documents recovered Saturday from Biden's Wilmington residence range from his three-decade tenure in the Senate and his time as vice president. It reportedly brings the total number of classified files found at Biden's private home to between 25 and 30 To think that any of them ended up in boxes and storage in one place or the other is just unacceptable. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) reacts to FBI investigators finding additional classified material at President Biden's Wilmington, Delaware, home. #CNNSOTU @CNNSotu pic.twitter.com/5zxXxiE5Gm CNN (@CNN) January 22, 2023 Speaking with Dana Bash on CNN's State of the Union Sunday, Durbin decried Biden's conduct, saying it has seen him lose his moral 'high ground' over Trump - whose home in Mar-a-Lago was recently raided by federal authorities. 'There's a standard we follow when it comes to members of Congress and classified information,' Durbin said during the televised sitdown, before detailing the actions of officials in his office when handling classified materials. 'The door to my office is closed. The person that presents the document to me takes it out of a locked briefcase, hands it to me and watches as I read it. 'When I finish reading it, he takes it back, puts it in the briefcase and leaves the scene. That's how carefully we review these documents,' Durbin went on. 'To think that any of them ended up in boxes in storage one place or the other,' he continued, 'is just unacceptable.' Durbin, a 78-year-old progressive serving his fifth consecutive Senate term, went on to compare Biden's ongoing debacle with Trump's own classified documents crisis - which resulted in an FBI raid on his Florida mansion back in August. While drawing parallels between the two situations, Durbin made it clear that he sees Biden's behavior as entirely different from former President Trump, citing the former's apparent willingness to cooperate with federal investigators. At least a few documents were found in Biden's garage at his Wilmington home, next to his vintage Corvette - a location Biden last week touted as 'safe' 'Joe Biden has said from the start, we are going to be totally transparent about this,' Durbin said. 'Let the chips fall where they may. I'm going to open my home voluntarily to a search, not the first search, I'm sure, of his offices and home. He has shown total cooperation in this effort.' The elected official added: 'That is a sharp contrast to President Trump.' At that point, Bash stopped the senator, and asked if, after the latest discovery, Durbin fears that Biden - who has mocked Trump's mishandling of files recovered during the Mar-a-Lago raid - has lost his 'high ground on this notion of classified information' to the former president. Durbin responded by stating, 'Well, of course,' before elaborating on exactly how far Biden - currently the subject of a DOJ investigation - has fallen. During the interview, CNN's Dana Bash (left) asked the senator that if following the latest discovery, Durbin fears that Biden - who has mocked Trump's mishandling of files in the past - has lost his 'high ground on this notion' to the ex-president 'Let's be honest about it,' Durbin said, appearing visibly perturbed by the president's current plight. 'When the information is found, it diminishes the stature of any person who is in possession of it. Because it's not supposed to happen. 'Whether it was the fault of a staffer or attorney,' he added, 'it makes no difference. The elected official bears ultimate responsibility.' Just before the DOJ's discovery last week, Biden insisted his garage was a secure location in an exchange with a reporter following a string of discoveries by DOJ officials at his Delaware home that spurred a still ongoing FBI investigation in November. 'Classified materials next to your Corvette? What were you thinking?' Fox News' Peter Doocy asked the president during a White House press conference. 'My Corvette is in a locked garage, OK?' Biden replied, seemingly annoyed by the inquiry. 'It's not like they're sitting out on the street,' 'So it was in a locked garage?' Doocy persisted. 'Yes, as well as my Corvette,' Biden quipped back. The president is currently being investigated by a special counsel, appointed by his own Attorney General Merrick Garland, over his handling of classified records. Federal officials are 'considering whether to seek' further searches of the commander-in-chief's family home, after six additional items were discovered there during a search on Saturday. The news broke while Biden was at his Rehoboth Beach vacation property - and after Biden slammed Trump's mishandling of files, hundreds of which were recovered from Mar-a-Lago, as 'irresponsible'. Trump is currently the subject of a separate federal investigation, also over his handling of classified records. It is believed the former head of state lied to investigators about holding the presidential papers at his private residence, resulting in an FBI raid on his home last summer. Hundreds of allegedly top-secret files were subsequently uncovered by agents who carried out the search, and seized as evidence. Trump has since faced heat from investigators for seemingly attempting to thrwart their investigation. Biden, by contrast, has said he is taking the investigation 'seriously' and working with officials at the DOJ and National Archives every step of the way. But Republican critics of the Democratic president have called that into question following this weekend's discovery - the magnitude of which has yet to be seen. 'AGAIN?!? How in the HELL do they keep screwing this up?? As Biden repeatedly says, everyone knows how seriously I take classified documents. Yes. Yes we do,' Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz wrote on Twitter. Biden at his Rehoboth Beach property this weekend while more classified files were found in his Wilmington home Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Scott Perry, a member of the House Oversight Committee, echoed Biden's own words: 'Everyone know i how seriously I take classified documents.' 'I guess the operative words here were, "I take,"' Perry wrote. Other Republicans are similarly clamoring for the president to face legal repercussions amid the growing scandal. House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer said his investigation into the Biden family was moving into its 'next phase,' which reportedly involves both the classified documents and the president's finances - along with those of his son Hunter Biden. 'Well be looking at bank statements. We'll be looking at bank violations,' Comer told the Washington Examiner. 'That's the next phase of our investigation because we're trying to figure out who these anonymous sources are that are sending so much money to the Biden family schemes - the Biden Center for Diplomacy and Hunter Biden's artwork.' Saturday's discovery in Wilmington was made just four days after Biden insisted he had 'no regrets' in his handling of classified files. Greek warplanes were scrambled on Sunday to escort a Ryanair flight from Poland to Greece with 190 people on board after a bomb alert was reported to authorities, officials said. Police were searching a Ryanair passenger plane that landed at Athens International Airport for any suspicious items after receiving an alert for a bomb threat, police officials said. The pilot of the Boeing 737 aircraft, with about 190 passengers and crew on board, had earlier alerted authorities over a possible explosive device on board, one of the officials said. The plane, flying from Katowice in Poland to Greece, arrived in Athens escorted by two fighter jets at 5.35 pm. A Ryanair Boeing 737-800 taking off (stock image) Firefighters were on waiting at the airport when it landed. Police searched passengers as they disembarked the flight and their luggage was lined up outside the aircraft Two F-16 jets escorted the flight, which took off from Katowice for Athens, as it entered Greek airspace from North Macedonia, the source said. The Boeing 737 had earlier been escorted by Hungarian warplanes, the official added. The flight finally landed at an isolated area at Athens International Airport shortly before 4 pm, a delay of nearly two-and-a-half hours. Greek police spokeswoman Constantia Dimoglidou said:'The passengers have disembarked and are being inspected. 'There were 190 people on board including the crew. The plane will be checked after the passengers.' A search of the passengers and the aircraft 'did not find anything suspicious,' the police said in a statement As the plane approached Athens, it was diverted over the sea as a precaution. Piotr Adamczyk, public relations manager at Katowice airport, said they had received a telephone warning as the plane was flying over Slovakia. 'After the plane took off, there was a call to the airport information centre concerning the possible presence of an explosive device on board,' Adamczyk told AFP. 'We contacted air traffic control, which subsequently contacted the pilots,' he added. The president and first lady shared their condolences for the victims of the Saturday night Lunar New Year mass shooting in that left 10 dead and another 10 injured at a California dance studio. Joe Biden tweeted he and his wife Jill were 'praying for those killed and injured' in the mass shooting, and noted he was closely monitoring the unfolding situation as cops continue searching for the shooter. Shortly on the heels of Biden's statement, Vice President Kamala Harris took to twitter Sunday afternoon to speak out against the 'senseless act of gun violence,' noting that she and her husband Doug were praying for the victims. The shooter unloaded a gun inside the Lai Lai Ballroom, about an hour after a nearby Chinese Lunar New Year celebration. It is not believed the weapon involved was an assault-style weapon as was previously reported. President Biden advised local residents to follow the direction of law enforcement as the search continues for the shooter. 'Jill and I are praying for those killed and injured in last night's deadly mass shooting in Monterey Park,' he wrote. 'I'm monitoring this situation closely as it develops, and urge the community to follow guidance from local officials and law enforcement in the hours ahead.' Vice President Harris wrote that she and the president were supporting the local authorities as the investigation continued. 'Overnight, yet another community was torn apart by a senseless act of gun violence,' she wrote. 'To the Monterey Park families impacted: Doug and I mourn with youand pray for you.' '@POTUS and I will continue to provide full support to local authorities as we learn more.' President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both spoke out in support of the massacre victims on Sunday Sunday Lunar New Year celebrations around the area of the mass shooting were canceled The update arrived as a desperate manhunt remains underway by law enforcement in the Los Angeles area. The suspect has been described as an asian male. Horrifying pictures showed victims being stretched from the scene before being rushed to hospital as cops and ambulances swarmed the area. Cops said throngs of terrified festivalgoers streamed out of the area 'screaming' as bullets continued to fly. Monterey Park has canceled the Lunar New Year events that were scheduled to take place Sunday near and around the dance hall. Dozens of cops and firefighters swarmed the scene but the gunman remained on the loose as of Sunday morning Firefighters were spotted treating the wounded in the parking lot outside the dance studio on Saturday night Interior of the Star Ballroom in Monterey Park, California where the shooting took place Saturday night Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said that the 10 victims who were injured but not pronounced dead at the scene, were left in stable to critical condition. Luna said that members of his force are searching fervently for the suspect: 'I see it in their eyes. They want to go get this guy, and they're going to.' He added that it remains unclear if the massacre at the ballroom was connected with a second shooting that occurred two miles down the road in the minutes after the first shooting. Scott Wiese, the Monterey Park Police Chief said that, while it is now safe to attend Lunar New Year celebrations in other parts of the community, the investigation that was launched today is large and 'will go on for many days and perhaps many months.' Wiese said law enforcement is looking for information from the community and hope members will work closely with law enforcement as the search continues. Sources said Klain would likely depart on February 7 after allegedly being asked to stay longer than he had originally planned Jeffrey Zients (pictured) is replacing White House Chief of Staff Ronald Klain next month Jeffrey Zients is being promoted to President Joe Biden's Chief of Staff with Ronald Klain's impending departure. The former White House COVID-19 response coordinator turned counselor to the president will take his latest post as Biden's right-hand-man next month. It comes as Klain plans to step down in coming weeks amid the president's mounting troubles involving scrutiny over taking classified documents from the White House and storing them in his home and think tank offices. Klain has informed Biden of his plans and it appears the long-serving aide will depart the White House after the president's State of the Union address on February 7. The chief of staff had previously stated his intent to leave the administration following the midterm elections, noting publicly that the position can be exhausting. Officials told CNN Klain has been a key player in the White House, having had a decades-long working relationship with Biden, with some saying he had been urged to stay for longer than he planned. Zients, who spent most of his career in the private sector, left the White House in April after steering the administrations pandemic response and leading the vaccination campaign. He returned to Bidens team in the fall to help Klain prepare for staff turnover after the midterms. In recent weeks, Klain has assigned Zients different projects, which some viewed as preparation for him taking the top role, people familiar with the arrangement told The Washington Post. Outgoing Chief of STaff Ron Klain (left) will step down within weeks. Klain has worked with Biden in government for decades Klain's departure comes as the White House faces scrutiny after documents were found in Biden's garage at his Wilmington, Delaware home Klain celebrated the second anniversary of Biden's presidential inauguration on Friday, inviting White House staffers to cake, but did not include any other detail over his expected departure or mention of the documents scandal plaguing the administration. 'Today at the halfway point of this term for the President and Vice President we celebrate not only WHAT was accomplished, but HOW it was accomplished: through teamwork, collaboration, mutual respect, and a lot of hard work,' Klain wrote in an email to staffers. 'This team did so many historic things, and did them in historic fashion, as part of the most diverse and most talented White House staff ever.' After sitting on the discovery of classified documents at a D.C. think tank for two months, Biden and his administration are now on the attack and trying to bat away questions by insisting they did everything by the book. A Biden lawyer informed the National Archives of the files found in the Penn Biden Center just days before the November midterms. But it was only last week that it was first reported by CBS News, and on January 12, it was revealed that even more documents were found in Biden's garage at his Delaware home. The White House has since been condemned for their lack of transparency and Biden's handling of files is now being investigated by a Special Counsel. How the scandal of government documents unfolded since classified records were found in Biden's office at the Penn Biden Center on November 2 The president and White House has been noticeably dismissive of the issue, with Biden recently snapping at reporters for trying to follow up on details surrounding the scandal. When a reporter asked on Thursday night during a climate change talk if he had any 'regrets' about the sensitive files debacle, Biden said the interrogation by the media 'bugs' him when we 'we have serious problem here we're talking about'. 'The American people don't quite understand why you don't ask me questions about that,' he added. Despite his animated reaction he said he would respond, and opened the first page of the binder on his lectern and started to read. 'Look, as we found a handful of documents that were filed in the wrong place, we immediately turned them over to the archives and the Justice department. We are fully cooperating and looking forward to getting this resolved quickly. I think you're going to find there's nothing there.' 'I have no regrets in following what the lawyers have told me what they want me to do, it's exactly what we're doing. There's no there there.' Klain has remained a strong aid to Biden, having worked with him for decades. Biden is pictured shaking his hand during a White House event in 2021 It remains unclear if Klain could delay his exit to help out his old friend. The duo first worked together in the early 1990s when Biden was the chairman for the Senate Judiciary Committee while Klain worked as its chief counsel. Klain has previously worked with the Clinton administration and served as Al Gore's second-term chief of staff. He also served on the general counsel in charge of the recount effort in Florida between presidential candidates Gore and George W. Bush. Klain returned to Washington to serve as Biden's chief of staff during the Obama administration, leaving in 2011 before returning three years later to work with Biden on the Ebola response effort. Mr Medvedev warned Russia may form an alliance with enemies of the US Despite Germany's donations, the country has been caution at each step Russia's parliament officials warned that nations that are arming Ukraine with more powerful weapons risk their own destruction, which would lead to 'a global catastrophe'. The message followed Ukraine's supporters pledging billions in military aid to the country on Friday, including armoured vehicles, air defence systems and other equipment. This did not include the battle tanks Kyiv had previously requested. State Duma chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said: 'Supplies of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime would lead to a global catastrophe.' Russian officials have warned that nations arming Ukraine with more powerful weapons risk their own destruction State Duma chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said: 'Supplies of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime would lead to a global catastrophe' 'If Washington and Nato supply weapons that would be used for striking peaceful cities and making attempts to seize our territory as they threaten to do, it would trigger a retaliation with more powerful weapons.' The commitments made on Friday were overshadowed by defence leaders failing at an international meeting in Ramstein, Germany, to agree on Ukraine's urgent request for German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks. Germany is one of the main donors of weapons to Ukraine, and have ordered a review of its Leopard 2 stocks in preparation for a possible green light. Despite this, the Berlin government has shown caution at each step of increasing its commitments to Ukraine, a hesitancy seen as rooted in its history and political culture. Meanwhile, French president Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that he did not rule out sending Leclerc battle tanks to Ukraine and had asked his defence minister to 'work on' the idea. Berlin's government has shown caution at each step of increasing its commitments to Ukraine Mr Macron spoke during a during a news conference in Paris with German chancellor Olaf Scholz as their countries commemorated the 60th anniversary of their post-Second World War friendship treaty. In a joint declaration, France and Germany committed to their 'unwavering support' for Ukraine. France would make its tank decision based on three criteria, Mr Macron said: that sharing the equipment did not lead to an escalation of the conflict, that it would provide efficient and workable help when training time was taken into account, and that it would not weaken France's own military. Mr Scholz did not respond when asked about the Leopard 2 tanks on Sunday, but stressed that his country had already made sizable military contributions to Ukraine. 'The US is doing a lot, Germany is doing a lot too,' he said. 'We have constantly expanded our deliveries with very effective weapons that are already available today. And we have always co-ordinated all these decisions closely with our important allies and friends.' France will make its tank decision depending of whether or not sharing the equipment will lead to an escalation of conflict Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said if Germany don't send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, his country would to build a coalition of countries that would send theirs anyway Germany's tentativeness has drawn heavy criticism, particularly from Poland and the Baltic states, countries on Nato's eastern flank controlled by Moscow in the past and which feel especially threatened by Russia's renewed territorial ambitions. Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said if Germany did not consent to transferring Leopard tanks to Ukraine, his country was prepared to build a coalition of countries that would send theirs anyway. 'Almost a year had passed since the outbreak of war,' Mr Morawiecki said in an interview with Polish state news agency PAP published on Sunday. 'Evidence of the Russian army's war crimes can be seen on television and on YouTube. What more does Germany need to open its eyes and start to act in line with the potential of the German state? Ukrainian military vehicles drive along a road outside of the strategic city of Bakhmut Ukrainian serviceman shows an anti-tank missile system to the children during interactive exhibition 'Weapons of Victory' where samples of the different anti-tank weapons including NLAW and Javelin are shown 'Above all, Berlin should not weaken or sabotage the activities of other countries.' In Washington, two leading lawmakers urged the US on Sunday to send some of its Abrams tanks to Ukraine, in the interests of overcoming Germany's reluctance to share its own, more suitable Leopard 2 tanks. 'If we announced we were giving an Abrams tank, just one, that would unleash' the flow of tanks from Germany, Michael McCaul, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told ABC's This Week On Sunday. 'What I hear is that Germany's waiting on us to take the lead.' Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of the Russian Security Council, said the meeting in Ramstein 'left no doubt that our enemies will try to exhaust or better destroy us', adding that 'they have enough weapons' to achieve the purpose. Mr Medvedev, a former Russian president, warned on his messaging app channel that Russia could seek to form a military alliance with enemies of the United States. He did not name the nations he had in mind, but Russia has defence co-operation with Iran and Venezuela, an existing military alliance with Belarus and strong ties with North Korea. A Ukrainian Military Forces serviceman aims with a Next generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAW) Swedish-British anti-aircraft missile launcher Since invading Ukraine, Russia also has increased both the scope and the number of its joint military drills with China. 'In case of a protracted conflict, a new military alliance will emerge that will include the nations that are fed up with the Americans and a pack of their castrated dogs,' Mr Medvedev said. Ukraine is asking for more weapons as it anticipates Russia's forces launching a new offensive in the spring. Oleksii Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's Security and Defence Council, warned that Russia may try to intensify its attacks in the south and in the east and to cut supply channels of western weapons, while conquering Kyiv 'remains the main dream' in President Vladimir Putin's 'fantasies', he said. Ukraine is asking for more weapons as it anticipates Russia's forces launching a new offensive in the spring He described the Kremlin's goal in the conflict as a 'total and absolute genocide, a total war of destruction'. 'Moscow wants to completely destroy Ukraine as a historical phenomenon - its language, history, culture, carriers of Ukrainian identity,' Mr Danilov wrote in a column published by Ukrainska Pravda. Among those calling for more arms for Ukraine was former British prime minister, Boris Johnson, who made a surprise trip to Ukraine on Sunday. 'This is the moment to double down and to give the Ukrainians all the tools they need to finish the job. The sooner Putin fails, the better for Ukraine and for the whole world,' Mr Johnson said in a statement. Mr Johnson was pictured in the Kyiv region town of Borodyanka. He said he had travelled to Ukraine at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Women can now check to see if their new partner has a past of domestic violence through a new government trial aimed at saving lives. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet will launch the Right To Ask initiative on Monday aimed at keeping women safe and give them the power to make an informed decision when entering new relationships. People will be able to apply for information about their partner's past via a hotline or website, including previous domestic violence convictions. The 12 month trial follows the tragic recent death in western Sydney of Dannielle Finlay-Jones, 31, allegedly killed by new boyfriend Ashley Gaddie whom she'd met on a dating app weeks earlier. The Right To Ask scheme will be unveiled in NSW on Monday in the wake of the recent death of Dannielle Finlay-Jones (pictured) Gaddie, 33, had been the subject of five separate AVOs from former partners in the last six years. The Premier told The Daily Telegraph the new scheme will be worth it if it saves someone's life. 'There are simply too many heartbreaking stories of women and men being seriously hurt or murdered in circumstances where the perpetrators had a history of prior domestic and violent criminal offences that they didn't know about,' Mr Perrottet said. Those who apply for information about their partners will be subject to ID checks and a statutory declaration confirming they're in a relationship with the person they requesting information about. The scheme is the first of its kind in Australia since 2016 when NSW trialled a similar program which had limited success and wasn't widely accessed. Police minister Paul Toole is confident the new scheme will be much more effective. 'The dating landscape has shifted since then, with more and more people accessing dating apps and dating outside known friendship circles,' he said. The scheme aims to save lives by allowing people to check their partner's past for any history of domestic violence (stock image) Women's safety minister Natalie Ward told 2GB's Ben Fordham on Monday: 'We need better controls around this, we know that they're not in place at the moment and that's why we're pushing to make this happen.' NSW Police has also backed the trial. 'We look forward to working to get this up and running,' Commissioner Karen Webb said. The trial comes as officials from dating apps Bumble, Match and Grindr prepare to attend a national summit addressing online dating safety this week. Federal communications Minister Michelle Rowland will convene Wednesday's roundtable which will discuss how to prevent exploitation of online dating services, supporting users who experience harm and efforts to improve online dating safety. Reporting processes, support for abuse victims and policies to hold perpetrators accountable are also on the agenda. 'We need to ensure platforms have the appropriate safeguards for those who use them, and effective mechanisms to report an incident if something does go wrong,' Ms Rowland said. If you or someone you know needs support, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). The gunman who slaughtered 10 people during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Monterey Park, California was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the van he used to flee after his attempt at a second shooting was thwarted by 'hero' patrons. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna identified the mass shooter as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran. He said the motive for the attack is still unclear. 'He intended to kill more people,' Luna said in a news conference on Sunday night. 'They saved lives,' he said of the patrons. 'This could've been much worse.' Ten people were shot and killed at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, where sources told CNN that Tran was once a 'regular patron.' The exact ages of the victims were not released, but Luna said they all appeared to be over 50. Seven of the wounded remained in the hospital, he added. Tran was carrying what was described as a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine, which Luna said appeared to be illegal in California, where state laws ban any magazine holding more than 10 rounds. A second handgun was discovered in the van where he was found dead, he added. Luna revealed how it all went down on Sunday when enforcement officials swarmed and entered the van after surrounding it for hours. They heard a gunshot and approached the vehicle to find Tran's body slumped over the steering wheel. Huu Can Tran, who slaughtered 10 people during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Monterey Park, California Saturday night was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the van he used to flee after his attempt at a second shooting that was thwarted by 'hero' patrons Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna identified the mass shooter as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran. He said the motive for the attack is still unclear. A photo of the man was released earlier Tran was carrying what was described as a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine, and a second handgun was discovered in the van where he was found dead, officials said Tran was removed from the van after he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound during standoff The police standoff came after 10 people were shot and killed at a ballroom dance studio late Saturday amid Lunar New Years celebrations in the predominantly Asian American community of Monterey Park. Luna said the shooting left five women and five men dead and wounded another 10 people. Then 20 to 30 minutes later, the gunman entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra. But patrons wrestled the weapon away from him and he fled. 'Remember, the suspect went to the Alhambra location after he conducted the shooting and he was disarmed by two community members who I consider to be heroes,' Luna said on Sunday. 'They saved lives,' he added. 'This could've been much worse. The weapon that we recovered at that second scene I am describing as a magazine-fed semiautomatic assault pistol. Not an assault rifle, but an assault pistol that had an extended large capacity magazine attached to it.' Another gun, a handgun, was later found in the van where Tran was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Luna said that the van had different plates. Authorities had been on the lookout for the vehicle after witnesses reported seeing the suspect fleeing Alhambra. He was also spotted seeking medical treatment at a hospital shortly before the standoff, law enforcement sources tell CNN. The man came into the emergency room seeking treatment for injuries that were consistent with being in a fight. He waited for a short time and then left without receiving treatment, the sources said. The hospital notified authorities when they saw that the man fit the description of the suspect's photos posted on the sheriff's department's Twitter feed. A short time later, police in Torrance pulled the white van over which led to the three-hour standoff. By midday, police in tactical vehicles and bomb-squad trucks surrounded a white van in a parking lot 22 miles from Alhambra in Torrance, another majority Asian community. It ended as police approached the vehicle and heard a gunshot. Tran was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Aerial footage of crime scene where the man that CBS News confirmed with law enforcement sources is the suspected mass shooting gunman that opened fire on Saturday night A law enforcement official walks past a body slumped over in the driver's seat of a van in Torrance, California, on Sunday after a standoff with police Aerial footage shows officials pulling unknown items from the white van after the standoff Tran had once been a regular of the Southern California dance studio where he opened fire and even met his ex-wife there, three people who knew him told CNN. His ex-wife, who did not want her name to be revealed, told CNN that she had met Tran about two decades ago at Star Ballroom Dance Studio, where he gave informal lessons. He offered her free lessons and it wasn't long before they were married. But there were instances, she said, where he would get angry quickly. If she missed a step while dancing, he would get upset because he thought it made him look bad. But he was never violent toward her, she added. She said that after several years together, he seemed to have lost interest in her. Tran filed for divorce in 2005, according to court records. It's not known how much Tran went to the studio in recent years. After the Monterey Park shooting, the gunman then entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra. But patrons wrestled the weapon away from him and he fled What appears to be bloody material is piled next to the white van as SWAT inspect the vehicle Aerial shots show the van linked to mass shooting sandwiched between armored SWAT vans The mass shooting sent a wave of fear through Asian American communities in the Los Angeles area and cast a shadow over Lunar New Year festivities around the country. Other cities sent extra officers to watch over the celebrations. Also speaking at the news conference, Congresswoman Judy Chu said she still has questions about the attack but hopes residents now feel safe. 'The community was in fear thinking that they should not go to any events because there was an active shooter,' Chu said, adding, 'You are no longer in danger.' 'What was the motive for this shooter?' she said. 'Did he have a mental illness? Was he a domestic violence abuser? How did he gets these guns and was it through legal means or not?' The Star Ballroom Dance Studio is a few blocks from city hall on Monterey Park's main thoroughfare of Garvey Avenue, which is dotted with strip malls of small businesses whose signs are in both English and Chinese. Cantonese and Mandarin are both widely spoken, Chinese holidays are celebrated and Chinese films are screened regularly in the city. The business offered dance lessons from tango to rumba to the fox trot and rented its space for events. On Saturday, its website said, it was hosting an event called 'Star Night' from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Shortly after 10 p.m. on Saturday, officers arrived at the dance hall where there had been reports of shots fired. Ten people were killed and 10 were injured. Authorities are working to identify the victims of the shooting in Monterey Park, California, according to Luna, who said this is why they aren't able to give exact ages. 'I don't have the specific ages because they have not been identified. But they're not in their 20s or 30s. They seem to be probably, I would say, in their 50s, 60s, and maybe some even beyond that,' Luna said. The massacre was the nation's fifth mass killing this month. It was also the deadliest attack since May 24, when 21 people were killed in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Enforcement Bureau High-Risk Tactical/Rescue Team tweeted that an operation in Torrance was over and the area safe Police release photo of the suspect in the Monterey Park Chinese Lunar New Year massacre Reports from the scene in Torrance, California say there is what appears to be a bullet hole in the front window of the white vehicle Aerial footage of a white van that may be related to the Chinese Lunar New Year massacre Up close shot of the barricaded suspect van boxed in between two large armored SWAT vans in Torrance, California Multiple casualties were reported after the shooting in California during New Year celebrations Police also said they were investigating whether a second shooting at Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra (pictured) was linked. No one was killed in Alhambra Sunday Lunar New Year celebrations around the area of the mass shooting were canceled Monterey Park is a city of about 60,000 people on the eastern edge of Los Angeles and is composed mostly of Asian immigrants from China or first-generation Asian Americans. The shooting happened in the heart of its downtown where red lanterns decorated the streets for the Lunar New Year festivities. A police car was parked near a large banner that proclaimed 'Happy Year of the Rabbit!' The celebration in Monterey Park is one of California's largest. Two days of festivities, which have been attended by as many as 100,000 people in past years, were planned. But officials canceled Sunday's events following the shooting. Tony Lai, 35, of Monterey Park was stunned when he came out for his early morning walk to learn that the noises he heard in the night were gunshots. 'I thought maybe it was fireworks. I thought maybe it had something to do with Lunar New Year,' he said. 'And we don't even get a lot of fireworks here. It's weird to see this. It's really safe here. We're right in the middle of the city, but it's really safe.' Wynn Liaw, 57, who lives about two blocks from the Monterey Park studio, said she was shocked that such a crime would happen, especially during New Year's celebrations. 'Chinese people, they consider Chinese New Year very, very special' a time when 'you don't do anything that will bring bad luck the entire year,' she said. She took a picture of the activity outside the studio to send to relatives and friends in China 'to let them know how crazy the U.S. is becoming with all these mass shootings, even in the New Year.' Dozens of cops and firefighters swarmed the scene but the gunman remained on the loose as of Sunday morning The scene was taped off with only officers and FBI agents piecing together what happened Horrifying pictures showed victims being stretched from the scene before being rushed to hospital as cops and ambulances swarmed the area. Cops said throngs of terrified festival goers streamed out of the area 'screaming' as bullets continued to fly. Monterey Park has canceled the Lunar New Year events that were scheduled to take place Sunday near and around the dance hall. Local restaurant owner Seung Won Choi told the LA Times three people rushed into his business and told him to lock the door. Choi said he was told there was a man with a machine gun, and a shooting at the dance club. He added the man had multiple rounds of ammunition on him and would reload every time he ran out. Local resident Wong Wei told the Los Angeles Times his friend was at the dance club and was in the bathroom when the shooting broke out. When she emerged, she said she saw a gunman and three bodies - two women and one person who he said was the boss of the club. Interior of the Star Ballroom in Monterey Park where the shooting took place Saturday night Community members were out dancing and celebrating following a Lunar New Year celebration that had ended about an hour before the shooting Investigators gather at a scene where a shooting took place in Monterey Park Saturday night Daytime aerial view of the dance hall where 10 people were shot dead Saturday night Dozens of police officers are responding to reports of a shooting on 22 January in California Armed officers were stationed outside an Asian store following the mass shooting Saturday Captain Andrew Meyer of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said people were 'pouring out of the location screaming' when officers arrived on the scene. He said police then went into the dance ballroom as firefighters treated the wounded. Ten deaths make it the joint fourth most deadly shooting in California's history. It also marks the fifth mass shooting in the US this month and the deadliest since 21 people were killed in a school in Uvalde, Texas. The deadliest shooting in California history was in 1984 when a gunman killed 21 people at a McDonald's restaurant in San Ysidro, near San Diego. The latest violence comes two months after five people were killed at a Colorado Springs nightclub. Law enforcement officials remained on the scene at the Star Ballroom on Sunday Firefighters were pictured helping the injured in a parking lot near the scene on Saturday night Two police officers stand guard near a scene where a shooting took place in Monterey Park The officers stand guard at the scene near the intersection of Garvey and Garfield Avenue Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Captain Andrew Meyer talks to reporters during a briefing in Monterey Park early Sunday morning Inside of the nightclub where the shots were fired and at least ten people were slain Investigators gather at a scene where a shooting took place in Monterey Park, California Monterey Park is a city in Los Angeles county, around 7 miles from downtown Los Angeles, with a population of about 60,000 people. Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia tweeted: 'Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones tonight in our neighboring city, Monterey Park, where a mass shooting just occurred. 'Monterey Park is home to one of the largest Asian communities in Los Angeles County and many were out celebrating the Lunar New Year.' According to demographic data, Monterey Park is home to an Asian majority population. About 65 percent of the community's roughly 60,000 residents are Asian. Early on Sunday morning, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted that President Joe Biden has 'been briefed by the Homeland Security Advisor' on the shooting and 'directed her to make sure that the FBI is providing full support to local authorities, and to update him regularly today as more details are known.' The FBI's Los Angeles Field Office has joined the sheriff's department and Monterey Park Police in the investigation. California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote Sunday morning: Monterey Park should have had a night of joyful celebration of the Lunar New year. Instead, they were the victims of a horrific and heartless act of gun violence. 'Our hearts mourn as we learn more about the devastating acts of last night. We are monitoring the situation closely.' Newly elected Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her condolences in a Sunday morning statement: 'Families deserve to celebrate the holidays in peace - mass shooting and gun violence are a plague in our communities' She added that investigators are working to determine whether the shooting was a manifestation of 'Asian hate,' and said that her 'heart goes out to Monterey Park and the families and friends of those lost.' New York Governor Kathy Hochul also weighed in Sunday morning, tweeting that she is 'heartbroken by the horrific shooting.' 'At what should be a time of Lunar New Year celebration, the scourge of gun violence has struck yet another community - we must put an end to these senseless tragedies,' she wrote. The interior of the Star Ballroom dance hall, where a gunman killed at least 10 people Saturday night Star Ballroom owner Maria Liang left a successful business career to open dance hall in 2013 The second shooting happened at nearby Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra (pictured) Armed police held a large presence, including helicopters, after the Monterey Park shooting The Star Ballroom Dance Studio opened a decade ago and is owned by Maria Liang, a former banker for the East West Bank - a popular bank among the Chinese-American community. While in China, she worked for Nike and the Australian energy company Norton Christensen. Though, it was her passion for dance that led her to open the Star Ballroom Dance Studio a decade ago. It has since become one of the most popular professional ballroom studios in Southern California. As members of the Chinese-American community in Monterey Park celebrated the incoming year of the rabbit on Saturday night, they were expecting to embrace a coming year full of relaxation, quietness and contemplation - all concepts that are symbolized by the rabbit. The outgoing year of the Tiger was meant to be filled with positive and active thought, according to Chinese cosmological philosophy. But those celebrating the Year of the Rabbit suffered a rude awakening Saturday evening when the year broke out with a mass shooting. Dr. Hongling Liang, a lecturer at the University of Glasgow's School of Modern Languages and Culture told the BBC, 'The rabbit is a very gentle and clever animal. It may not be the strongest of the 12 animals, but its charm and speed attracts good qualities such as money, partnership and success.' According to Chinese tradition, the year of the rabbit is meant to be 'calm and gentle, bringing an energy that will help those looking for more of a balanced life.' More than a million households will be paid to cut back their electricity tonight as part of an emergency scheme to prevent blackouts on one of the coldest days of the year. The National Grid will reward those participating in the Demand Flexibility Service who voluntarily reduce their usage between 5pm and 6pm, preventing the nation's supply from being overstretched. It is the first time National Grid has implemented its DFS scheme since it was announced last November, the Times reports, as the UK prepares for freezing temperatures this week. In a further sign of the squeeze on supply, the Grid is preparing to use its back-up coal plants at the Drax power station in North Yorkshire and West Burton in Nottinghamshire today. Most of the UK's energy suppliers have signed up to the Demand Flexibility Scheme that will pay families 100 to keep their electricity switched off during peak times this winter. (File image: Smart meter) It will be the first time the two coal-fired power units are warmed up on standby, ready to generate in case they are required. A spokesman from National Grid's electricity system operator said: 'Our forecasts show electricity supply margins are expected to be tighter than normal on Monday evening. We have instructed coal-fired power units to be available to increase electricity supplies should it be needed. 'This does not mean electricity supplies are at risk and people should not be worried. These are precautionary measures to maintain the buffer of spare capacity we need. It comes as temperatures plunged to -8C overnight and 'freezing fog' is set to remain into next week amid a yellow weather warning - as parts of the UK woke to bitter frost. Twenty-six of the UK's energy suppliers are taking part in the DFS scheme including British Gas, EoN, Octopus Energy and EDF. The project sees households who have signed up earn around 3 (kilowatt per hour) for every unit they save by keeping their electricity switched off during peak times. The National Grid is encouraging homeowners to take part in the scheme in a bid to avoid potential blackouts. Earlier energy company Octopus suggested its customers could save as much as 240 WHAT IS THE DEMAND FLEXIBILITY SERVICE? The DFS scheme for selected smart-metre users was scheduled for 12 test sessions between November 3, 2022, and March 31. It will be implemented in effect for the first time tomorrow. During the sessions, which typically last one hour, households cut back on their electricity by around 30 per cent in return for a financial incentive. This is achieved through switching off high-energy appliances such as ovens and dishwashers during the period. Craig Dyke, head of national control at National Grid ESO, said: 'These test results show that, if called upon, this service will help the ESO balance the national electricity network this winter.' Advertisement The typical overnight temperature for England in January is around 2C, but this fell as low as -8C overnight. It in turn means the 'freezing fog' will take longer to clear, with warnings to motorists likely to remain in place. A spokesperson for the Met Office told MailOnline yesterday: '[Overnight], temperatures will get down to below freezing with -8C as a minimum temperature. Moving into Monday morning, the freezing fog will be slow to clear. 'Outside of this fog, there will be sunny skies in the morning but it will remain very cold. As the day develops, sunny spells will pick up from the east, turning cloudier. 'For northern parts and Scotland, there will be rain particularly in slopes and hilly areas. 'Broadly speaking, Tuesday will remain very similar with temperatures again falling overnight but remaining above typical in northern areas.' Temperatures are typically milder to the south and colder to the north of England and Scotland, but the current weather system is bucking that trend. The Met Office adds that journey times by car and public transport are likely to be longer than usual, with surfaces likely to be more slippery than usual with a greater risk of injury. Heavy frost on the ground at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, one of many areas covered by the yellow weather warning Joggers run at Ranmore in Surrey as freezing weather continues to grip much of the south of England The Demand Flexibility Service - which is only open to those with smart meters - looks to reward homeowners for changing their electricity usage in a bid to avoid blackouts across winter. It is among a range of tools designed to help manage the electricity system this winter. Craig Dyke, head of national control at National Grid ESO, said: 'These test results show that, if called upon, this service will help the ESO balance the national electricity network this winter.' Speaking at the time of its launch in November last year, John Pettigrew, head of the National Grid, said that 'a vast majority of suppliers in the UK have now signed up,' to the scheme. The National Grid is hoping that it will mean less stress on the grid, making better use of the country's electricity generation by ironing out some of the peaks. Most customers tend to use electricity at similar times, with a particularly big spike in the evening when people get back from work, start cooking and switch the TV on. 'We're really pleased with the take-up,' Mr Pettigrew said. 'It will continue to grow as we move through the winter.' National Grid runs the project, but requires suppliers to sign up so that their customers can take part. So far only one major supplier of energy to homes - Octopus Energy - is thought to have started to sign up customers to the scheme. They previously said that 320,000 of its customers (out of 1.4 million who were eligible) had decided to sign up The savings are only possible for customers who have a smart meter (Pictured: An analogue electricity meter) Energy watchdog Ofgem approved the proposals for National Grid electricity system operator (ESO) to launch the programme from November until March. Households participating through the programme will be sent a message from their supplier if there is increased pressure on the system. It will ask people and businesses who have signed up to reduce or move their electricity usage outside peak hours. Mr Pettigrew said that the programme could help take pressure off the grid this winter, but could also be pivotal in determining how electricity might be used by homes in the decades ahead. In future, experts hope that most households with electric cars will plug in when they get home, but that their smart meter will wait until electricity is most abundant - and therefore cheaper - on the grid before charging the car. 'In my mind it's a little bit of a glimpse of the future. Because, with smart meters, customers can interact and provide services to networks that they've not been able to do in the past,' Mr Pettigrew said. 'So, for me, although it's something that's a useful insurance policy for this winter for the system operator, it's actually quite exciting and it's actually developing products and services that I think will be the norm going forward.' The National Grid reported a 45 per cent jump in pre-tax profit to 1.6 billion in the six months to the end of September last year, largely due to acquisitions the business has made. The business invested a record 3.9billion in capital projects across the UK and the US, as well as work on a cable that will allow Britain to tap into Danish wind power. No one will be penalised for not taking part in the scheme, and those who sign up can still use as much electricity as they want during peak hours. The rally was against the use of Section 35 to block new gender legislation Police are investigating after a sign threatening to 'decapitate TERFs' was displayed at a demonstration in Glasgow yesterday as JK Rowling mocked the 'temporary blindness' of SNP politicians who posed near the banner. The piece of cardboard was held aloft at a rally after the UK government said it would block the Scottish Parliament's decision to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to self-identify their gender. It was accompanied by a picture of a guillotine. The sign generated controversy after two SNP politicians, MP Kirsten Oswald and MSP Kaukab Stewart, were pictured posing for a photograph close by. Both later condemned the sign and said they were not aware of it as they posed for the picture which was shared by Harry Potter author JK Rowling to her almost 14 million Twitter followers. SNP MP Kirsten Oswald (left) and MSP Kaukab Stewart were pictured in front of the sign on Saturday. Both later condemned the banner JK Rowling has previously described Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as a 'destroyer of women's rights' The vast majority of protesters held signs with peaceful phrases such as 'respect democracy' and 'Trans rights are human rights'. Ms Oswald tweeted: 'That's a horrific sign, and it wasn't there when I joined the demo. 'It most certainly doesn't represent my views, and isn't language I would ever use. 'Violent hateful language, of any kind, is unacceptable and has no place in the peaceful movement for LGBT equality and democracy.' Trans rights demonstrators attend a rally on Buchanan Street on Saturday in Glasgow, Scotland One protester at the rally held a sign comparing the Section 35 legislation to the Section 28 legislation, which banned the 'promotion' of homosexuality Ms Stewart said: 'I was not aware of these hateful signs when I attended today's protest in defence of Scottish democracy and the rights of trans people, and I utterly disagree with them. 'Violent hate speech is totally unacceptable and has absolutely no place in our public discourse.' Shortly afterwards on Saturday the author tweeted the picture of the two politicians and said: 'A few of Scotland's wonderfully progressive and kind politicians, posing proudly in front of banners calling for women to be decapitated and eaten.' She later added: 'A strange new form of temporary blindness has broken out among Scottish politicians. 'None of them could read placards calling for violence against women while standing inches away from them, yet they were instantly cured when photos of them posing with the signs hit the press.' The sign was photographed at a cafe in Glasgow before the demo. A second sign, also visible in the picture, read: 'I eat TERFs and Tories'. Other SNP politicians who attended the rally at Buchanan Street included MP Stewart McDonald and MP Alison Thewliss. Hundreds of people are thought to have turned out to the march, many of them young people A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'We have received a report regarding a sign which was displayed during a rally on Buchanan Street, Glasgow on Saturday, January 21, 2023. Enquiries are ongoing.' There has been fierce debate regarding the legislation over fears predatory men could use it to identify as women to gain access to female-only spaces. The legislation lets 16 and 17-year-olds get a gender recognition certificate before the age of 18 to change their legal gender. Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said he reported the sign at the rally to the police, saying it was 'clearly a hate crime and a public order offence'. He added: 'Good grief [Nicola Sturgeon], should your MP and MSP [Kirsten Oswald] and [Kaukab Stewart] really be standing under a banner with a guillotine and this the slogan "Decapitate Terfs"? And this is meant to be "progressive"?' Fellow Tory, Jamie Halcro Johnston wrote on Twitter: 'Scotland in 2023 where SNP politicians stand smiling in front of a banner which calls for violence against women. Shameful.' Meanwhile MP Joanna Cherry, said: 'I'm sure my colleagues didn't realise they were standing in front of a hateful sign threatening violence against women and will distance themselves from it. 'I'm due in court again soon to give evidence against a trans rights activist who threatened to kill me.' Ms Thewliss said she had not seen the sign and that if she had she would 'have told the person involved how inappropriate and offensive it was, and to get rid of it.' Mr McDonald tweeted: 'The violent sign at yesterday's rally is utterly heinous and condemned without question. I suspect it may even be unlawful. 'The moron who made it and is holding it has done those protesting for trans equality and democracy no favours quite the opposite.' Chris McEleny, the general secretary of the Alba Party, said: 'If only SNP members of Parliament turned out to pro-independence rallies like they do to the rallies [where] they pose in front of "decapitate terfs" banners.' Michael McCaul suggested that Joe Biden's classified documents scandal could be as big as Watergate as he demands the president be prosecuted and even more Democrats are jumping in to admit it was a misstep. The Justice Department (DOJ) found six more classified documents this weekend at Biden's Wilmington, Delaware home, leading to questions over whether the FBI will finally search the president's other homes. It is now known that Biden took at least somewhere between 25 and 30 classified documents out of the White House from his years as vice president and stored them at his home in Delaware and his think tank in Washington, D.C. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said there isn't really a way to 'accidentally' take home classified materials and documents because of the way they are handled. Rep. Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and panel member on the Homeland Security panel, suggested President Joe Biden's classified documents scandal could be as big as Watergate This broke a week before the midterm elections, and they swept it under the rugWatergate started as a very small burglary. It led to the president United States resigning. So I don't know what's there, Rep. McCaul says of Pres. Biden documents. https://t.co/U0c4dTpKYX pic.twitter.com/nJPqPUXAOf This Week (@ThisWeekABC) January 22, 2023 'I don't really know the answer to that question,' the Virginia senator said when CBS Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan asked how it could be an 'accident'. 'I review classified materials as a senator on the Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, but whenI do it, it's always in a classified facility where I don't have access to the materials other than to sit there and read them,' he noted. Kaine reiterated the need for an independent investigation into the latest scandal. 'How many documents are we talking about?' he questioned. Rep. McCaul, who is chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and sits on the panel for Homeland Security, said Biden's handling of the documents is irresponsible. Justice Department found six more documents at Biden's Wilmington, Delaware property, leading to questions over whether they should search the president's other properties 'I don't know what these documents pertain to,' McCaul told ABC This Week host Martha Raddatz on Sunday. 'All I know is the documents were there.' 'Just a lot of unanswered questions,' he added. 'This broke a week before the midterm elections and they swept under the rug. Now, we're just find out.' 'You know, Watergate started as a very small burglary and it led to the president of the United States resigning,' McCaul said when asked if there would be political fallout from Biden's actions. 'So, I don't know what's there until we see the documents.' Watergate was a major political scandal involving President Richard Nixon's administration that led to his resignation. It stemmed from the then-president's efforts to cover up involvement in the June 17, 1972 break-in of DNC headquarters at the Watergate Office Building. McCaul lamented that if he or his wife were to take classified documents from work to their home, they would be prosecuted. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said he doesn't know how someone can 'accidentally' take classified documents out of secure locations .@margbrennan: How does someone accidentally take classified material home? I don't really know the answer to that question, says Sen. Tim Kaine. Adding that when he reviews classified materials, it's always in a classified facility. pic.twitter.com/RKOYmxtQ5a Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) January 22, 2023 'There should be a different standard even if you're you know, I know he says he declassified them, you know, Biden called it totally irresponsible, but yet he's guilty of the same sin, if you will by taking these documents home,' he said. 'Why are they taking these documents home? I don't understand. I've lived in a classified world for a long time.' Federal officials are now 'considering whether to seek searches' of additional areas finding more materials at Biden's Wilmington home. This includes potentially searching the president's vacation home on Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, which is where Biden went on his weekend away from Washington, D.C. as he avoided going to his residence where the Justice Department searched his files. Meanwhile, House Oversight Committee Chair Representative James Comer said his investigation into the Biden family was moving into its 'next phase.' These probes reportedly involve both the classified documents and the president's finances - along with those of his son Hunter Biden. 'We'll be looking at bank statements. We'll be looking at bank violations,' Comer told the Washington Examiner. In Allentown, letting too many unpaid parking tickets add up could mean up to 10 days in jail. Some on City Council are trying to change that. A bill sponsored by council member Ce-Ce Gerlach would eliminate a provision of an Allentown ordinance that allows anyone who has racked up enough unpaid parking tickets to be imprisoned for up to 10 days. But Gerlach and some other council members are looking beyond just unpaid parking tickets. A search for imprisonment on the citys e-code site, which compiles all of the citys laws and ordinances in one place, brings up 89 hits. Thats why Gerlach and fellow council members Natalie Santos and Ed Zucal formed the Penalty Review Committee. The committee plans to review the city code for all situations where imprisonment can be used as a punishment and reconsider them. Though the city does not have jurisdiction over who gets imprisoned for violating state or federal laws, the city can change its code to remove imprisonment as a punishment for city level offenses from lacking a bike permit to hosting an event without a permit. If the city eliminates imprisonment as a punishment for unpaid parking tickets, it would be following in the footsteps of Reading, which took similar action in 2016. The Reading Parking Authority voted to transfer the citys 15,000 pending parking tickets from the criminal court system to the parking authoritys civil system. Under that system, no one will be committed to prison for inability to pay parking fines or court costs; instead, if fines are not paid, parking enforcement officers will boot cars. To Gerlach and other sponsors of the measure, its about decriminalizing poverty. In a city where the poverty rate is 23%, nearly double Pennsylvania as a whole, no one should be in prison for their inability to pay a fine, she said. Being poor is not a crime, Gerlach said. There are far more greater threats to the city of Allentown, far more crimes that are actually crimes that are happening, that I dont want it to ever be a possibility that someone could sit in a jail cell for two hours, one hour, 30 minutes because of unpaid parking tickets. But some skeptics on council say that arrests and imprisonments for unpaid parking tickets are rare, or practically nonexistent. I would highly doubt based on the city codes you would ever see anyone first of all get the maximum fine, let alone imprisoned, Zucal said. Zucal said he reached out to several magisterial district judges in Allentown, and said only one could recall anyone ending up in prison for unpaid parking tickets, which happened in 2013. The Morning Call reached out to seven magisterial district judges whose districts comprise most of Allentown. Five did not respond in time for publication deadline, and two said they could not provide any information. Allentown Parking Authority executive director John Morgan also said that imprisonment as a consequence of unpaid parking tickets is a non-issue, and he has never seen it happen in his five years in the position. We are not looking to incarcerate anyone, Morgan said. Someone made a comment on the internet, Were just punishing poor people, but we dont know if you are poor or rich when we write a ticket. But Jessica Ortiz, executive director of Allentown nonprofit the Ortiz Ark Foundation, said it almost happened to her family. A sheriff came to her familys home to arrest her daughter, Ortiz said, because she had not seen her parking ticket and violation notice, and thus did not show up for a court date. She said because her family had the cash on hand to pay her daughters fines, she did not go to prison. She also said shes had over 25 clients at her nonprofit who have received court notices, and knows of at least one who was imprisoned for a week over unpaid parking tickets. Its an issue that disproportionately impacts vulnerable people in Allentown, she said. If you are Spanish, from another country, from Puerto Rico, and you get a judge notice, your world falls apart, Ortiz said. Because a code was violated that you may not have known about in your house. It is a very scary situation. When I hear people arent going to jail? Absolutely the opposite. They come, they arrest you, she added. Gerlach concurred. The reason it appears as though few people are imprisoned for unpaid parking tickets is because, more often than not, they are imprisoned for missing a court date for the parking tickets, not just the unpaid fees alone, she argued. She has a right-to-know request pending with the county to determine how many people have been imprisoned because of unpaid tickets in Allentown, she said. Mayor Matt Tuerk said in a statement that he supports the effort to review imprisonment as a penalty for minor infractions. Its inconsistent with the values of our city to threaten imprisonment for not getting a permit to have a party in a park or to ride ones bike with no hands, Tuerk said in a statement. Gerlach said the Penalty Review Committee, which had its first meeting Jan. 18, would reconvene in February or March to consider an overhaul of the citys imprisonment-related policies. Morning Call reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at liweber@mcall.com. He responded to the criticism the next day, saying his bosses asked him to be more casual for the morning show Comedian Stephen Colbert slammed CNN host Don Lemon on Thursday for wearing a hoodie with sweatpants and a jacket on his new morning show. During his show Thursday night, the jokester pulled up a picture of Lemon in the outfit he wore on-air for his new CNN This Morning gig earlier in the day, saying: 'As a wise man once said, 'What the f*** is that?'' Colbert then continued to poke fun at Lemon, telling him he has some explaining to do which Lemon tried to do on his morning show the next day. He revealed his new CNN bosses had asked him to be more casual as he took over the station's morning show, which was advertised as a 'different morning show' in a promo featuring Lemon in a turtle-neck. Late night host Stephen Colbert took time out of his show Thursday night to make fun of CNN anchor Don Lemon's outfit earlier in the day Lemon, 56, was seen earlier in the day on his new morning show in a gray hooded sweater with gray sweatpants and a black jacket On his Late Show Thursday night, Colbert decided to point fun at Lemon's outfit choice, despite calling him a 'dear, dear friend.' 'I was watching this morning, and I was a little taken aback because I didn't expect this,' Colbert said, before instructing his crew to display a picture of Lemon in the very casual outfit. 'I know they want to add some comedy to CNN,' the comedian continued, referring to a proposal to add a late night show on the network, 'and this is hilarious.' 'But how do you report the news in that outfit? How do you talk about tragedy wearing that, because what could be more tragic than that look he had this morning,' Colbert mocked. He then went on to compare Lemon's look to 'a high school track teacher who went for a run but then got a little hungry and stopped at a a restaurant. 'But it was too nice of a restaurant and they said, 'Excuse me sir, you have to wear a jacket.' So then he stole a jacket from Guys and Dolls,' Colbert joked, referring to a musical set in the 1950s. He concluded: 'Don, you've got a lot to answer for.' To his credit, Lemon took up the challenge on CNN This Morning the next day, describing his casual attire as a Rorschach test in which people see what they want to see. Lemon responded to the criticism on the morning show the next day He explained that when he took over the morning show, the CNN bosses wanted him to 'relax and be more comfortable and sort of go with what is happening in the world.' 'So look I love Stephen Colbert,' the embattled CNN anchor began. But, he said: 'It was interesting, I didn't expect that reaction. 'For me, it was sort of like a Rorschach test wearing that outfit,' he said as he tried to defend the style. 'First of all, it's not a sweatshirt or whatever,' Lemon claimed. 'It's a sweater that has a hood on it.' At that point, Lemon revealed that when he took the job co-anchoring CNN This Morning, his bosses asked him to 'relax and be more comfortable and sort of go with what is happening in the world.' 'Right now, people aren't wearing suits as much,' he said, after showing a montage of him in different colored suits over the years. 'Lots has changed since the pandemic, right? 'So I just found it interesting that there was such a reaction, because online I got a lot of negative reaction.' Lemon then turned to his co-anchor, Kaitlinn Collins, saying he now understands what it must be like to be a woman when they get 'comments about their skirt, about their hair, whatever. 'Men never get scrutinized as much,' he said, before turning his comments directly to Colbert, saying: 'I think that [you should] have fun with comedy. 'I think if Barack Obama can get criticized for a tan suit, if Volodomyr Zelensky can fight a war in a hoodie, if Trayvon Martin can start a revolution in a hoodie, then Don Lemon could tell the news in a hooded sweater,' he claimed. 'So Stephen, I love ya, I'm glad you started this conversation, but it is like a Rorschach test.' Don Lemon had earlier appeared in a turtle neck with a button down over it for a promotion for the new morning show Lemon had previously promised to show viewers of the new morning show a 'younger, more fun' version of himself, a stark contrast from the hard-liner Americans were used to. But in an ad for the new show, Collins tells both Lemon, 56, and co-anchor Poppy Harlow, 40, that she was 'a freshman' when they got their start on CNN in 2006 and 2008, respectively. 'High school, college?' Harlow asks. 'Actually, I think it was the eighth grade,' Collins, 30, replies to shock from her elder co-hosts. The exchange is then followed by a montage of dialogue between the future morning anchors, highlighting their philosophy for the show. 'A morning show is like when people walk into a diner,' Lemon says. 'You come in and you get whatever amount of news that you can, then you start your day.' Text on the screen continues throughout the promotion, highlighting each portion of the trio's conversation - when, at one point, 'conversation' is layered over the video. 'People's time is so valuable that if they give 15 minutes to watch the news, that's a lot of time,' Collins says. 'We need to cover more of what is happening across America,' Harlow adds, to which she then follows up on moments later with, 'People just want to be heard.' 'It's really all about the conversation,' Lemon concluded. 'We're the place for accuracy and we're the place for context.' Lemon promised that a 'younger, more fun' Don Lemon - different than what people are used to - will be showing up on the network each morning Lemon previously said the show will be a more authentic version of himself and his style The move to replace 'New Day' and move Lemon from primetime was one of new CEO Chris Licht's most prominent decisions as he seeks to steer the outlet away from 'opinion-based partisan news' and anchors who slam conservatives and the GOP. A big-time critic of former President Trump and Republicans, Lemon has previously called Trump 'the biggest snowflake of them all' following the 2021 White House raid on January 6. He was also widely outspoken about election fraud following the 2020 Presidential Election, and claimed Trump and Republicans were feeding GOP supporters 'bullsh**t.' Lemon added on to his criticism of networks continuing to cover Trump despite not being the active president. 'It was frustrating to say the least, not that I wasn't committed to doing it in primetime. But after Donald Trump wasn't president anymore, and we had a war in Ukraine that changed our approach to what we did in primetime, which was not starting every single night with a monologue about Donald Trump and how bad he was and how terrible things were in the country,' he said. 'So I was ready to move on and I think the audience is ready to move on as well,' Lemon continued. He has worked at CNN for 16 of his 40 years in journalism and served as a co-moderator for the 2020 Democratic Presidential Debate. Poppy Harlow, left, Don Lemon (center), and Katilan Collins anchor the failing morning show But when CNN This Morning aired in November, the show debuted to less than 390,000 viewers. Those numbers are dismal in comparison to the show's competition, including 'Morning Joe' on MSNBC, which brought in 793,000 viewers. 'FOX and Friends,' saw 1.5 million viewers. 'CNN This Morning' also debuted to 50,000 less viewers on average than the 'New Day,' with just 71,000 viewers considered the network's demographic. During its final show, 'New Day' brought in just over 350,000. That number still only saw 75,000 from the network's main demographic of adults aged 25-54. On November 1, 'Morning Joe' had 114,000 in the same category and 'FOX and Friends' saw 236,000. Before it began losing viewers en masse, the show averaged 413,000 viewers in 2022. West Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin tore into President Joe Biden on Sunday over his handling of classified documents, one day after it was announced that yet another batch of such records were recovered from his Wilmington home. Directly responding to Biden claiming last week that he has 'no regrets' on the matter, Manchin said: 'Oh, I think he should have a lot of regrets.' He was noncommittal about the prospect of Biden's likely re-election campaign - claiming the president 'has been pulled to the left' rather than government in the middle. 'How has this happened?' the conservative Democrat said on NBC News' Meet The Press as more questions rise about Biden's handling of secret files. West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin said President Joe Biden should have 'regrets' over his handling of classified documents TODAY: After Pres. Biden said he had no regrets on how he handled classified materials on Thursday, Sen. Joe Manchin (https://t.co/A9qEVDhA58.) says Biden should have a lot of regrets. Manchin: It was irresponsible. pic.twitter.com/KByaUvKEqw Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) January 22, 2023 He described his own experience viewing classified materials in their secure facilities, after which Manchin said he'd be asked if he was 'clean' each time upon leaving. 'They want to make sure you're not carrying anything out. You know, and it might be a mistake, you might just put it in your other papers, but you double check it right there,' Manchin said. 'So that- to be held accountable and responsible is what we all are. And to put those in unsecured spaces is irresponsible.' That notion is supported by a majority of Americans, a new ABC News/Ipsos poll suggests, which shows 64 percent of voters think Biden handled the files 'inappropriately.' It's too early to tell whether the developing debacle will have any real effect on Biden's likely 2024 campaign. A recent report in The Hill suggests that the president is still moving full steam ahead with launching his re-election bid this year, despite the drama. Biden has been forced to grapple with crisis after crisis as more classified documents are found and reported among his possessions But Manchin demurred on Sunday when asked whether he wanted Biden to run again. 'He'll have to make that decision,' the West Virginia senator answered, adding that it was a 'personal' choice for the 79-year-old president. Pressed again on if he'd support Biden if that decision was to run, Manchin said, 'I haven't decided on anything I'm going to do until I see what the lay of the land is going to be at that time, because this country needs to unite.' 'We need to come back together. We're not coming together. And it needs to be somebody that can bring this country together,' the centrist senator added. He did go out of his way to praise Biden, conceding that the leader of his party had 'done a good job in so many factions.' 'I think there's a lot more to be done,' Manchin said. Pictures of the entrance to President Joe Biden's lake front home in Wilmington, DE 'I think he's been pulled to the left too far, and I think I've told him that. I've been upfront with that.' He called for both sides of the aisle to 'work out of the center,' even as lawmakers returns to regular legislative sessions on Monday facing a starkly divided Congress. 'Republican ideas aren't always bad. And the Democrats don't have- don't have all the answers,' Manchin said. 'And vice versa.' The 75-year-old West Virginia Democrat is up for re-election next year, when he's expected to face stiff competition to keep his seat in the deep red state. But he dodged a question on whether he'd even run on the left. 'I haven't made a decision what I'm going to do in 2024. Ive got two years ahead of me now to do the best I can for the state and for my country,' Manchin said when asked if he'd run as a Democrat. After a chase, the suspects abandoned their car and fled on foot before capture This is the dramatic moment Ohio state troopers pursue a car full of escaped convicts after they fled from a traffic stop. Police came across the four suspects during a stop for a basic traffic violation on Friday, only to have their car take off at high speed. Officers pursued the car to a residential neighborhood, where the convicts stopped and fled on foot. All four were captured shortly after. The suspects - Aaron Sebastian, Lujuan Tucker, Dakota Pace, and Kelly McSean - were imprisoned for felony charges and escaped from the Missouri prison last Tuesday. A fifth escaped inmate was not in the car with the suspects, and was separately apprehended. Aaron Sebastian, 30, and Kelly McSean, 52, were both imprisoned for sex crimes Dakota Pace, 26, and Lujuan Tucker, 37, were both a part of the car chase on Friday night Dashboard camera footage from a state trooper patrol car showed a pair of officers pulling over a four-door Scion sedan on the side of the highway north of Cincinnati around 9.30pm Friday night. It is unclear why they were stopped, but their car appeared to be swerving. Two officers approached the Scion, and began speaking to the occupants while shining their flashlights into the car. Little more than a minute into the traffic stop the car suddenly accelerated off the shoulder and took off down the highway, causing the troopers to jump out of the way and run back to their car to begin pursuit. The officers chased the Scion down the highway, off an exit ramp, through busy intersections, and ultimately into the Brooke Hill Court off Willow Brook Drive in Liberty Township. Officers confront the the car after pulling it over for a traffic violation Officers speak with the four men inside the Scion on Friday night The car took off during the stop, and police pursued them down the highway As the Scion was still skidding to a stop on the residential street, one of the suspects leapt out of the driver's side back door. The other doors then flew open and the other three suspects ran off into the night. Officers gave chase on foot, and ultimately captured McSean, 52, who sexually assaulted a 39-year-old woman in 2003, and Sebastian, 30, who attempted to sodomize a seven-year-old girl in 2011 when he was 18. Tucker, 37, was captured hiding in nearby woods at about 2:15am the following morning. He was incarcerated for raping a 12-year-old girl when he was 17. Pace, 26, was caught about a half-mile from where he ran from the car. He was in jail for tampering with a motor vehicle and stealing. The fleeing car pulled into a residential street after being chased by police The suspects fled on foot into the night as police gave chase Officers ran after the suspects when they fled from the car One of the suspects is returned in handcuffs after fleeing from police on foot All four men were returned to the St. Francois County Detention Center, where they'd escaped from earlier in the week. The men were a secured cell, then opened a door 'by use of force.' From there they got onto the roof of the prison and made their way onto the ground, and finally stole a car form a nearby parking lot and took off. 'The inmates then made their way to the roof of the Detention Center and eventually onto the ground,' police said. 'The inmates made their way to the Centene Corporation within 15 minutes, entered through the secured parking lot and stole a grey 2009 Scion TC with Missouri temporary tags. A fifth inmate who escaped with them, Michael Wilkins, 42, was caught earlier Friday. He had been jailed for second-degree burglary. A high-profile Australian was charged with rape after his alleged victim recognised his face in a photo online. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly met the woman at the Powerhouse nightclub in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, in October 2021. They allegedly caught a taxi back to his friend's place and had sex once that night and twice in the morning. However, as Daily Mail Australia revealed at the weekend, the woman alleged the last two times were not consensual because he was not wearing a condom. Failing to wear a condom without a partner's permission is considered sexual assault under Queensland law. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly met the woman at the Powerhouse nightclub in Toowoomba October 2021 (stock image) Six weeks later, the woman was perusing the internet on her phone when she saw the man's photo and recognised him as the same person who allegedly had sex with her. The woman reported the matter to police the next day before making a formal statement. The man was charged with two counts of rape on January 10. He cannot be named under a Queensland law that prohibits the identification of those charged with alleged sexual assault or rape offences unless the case is committed for trial. It will be alleged in court that the pair spoke on Snapchat for a few days after the encounter, but soon lost contact. Police will allege they have CCTV footage from the club showing the pair leaving together, and evidence the man booked a taxi. In Toowoomba Magistrate's Court on January 11, the man's defence lawyer Rowan King lobbied for certain bail conditions and handed medical documents while asking for an adjournment. The man charged with two counts of rape on January 10. He cannot be named unless the matter is committed for trial His bail conditions which included a non-contact order and surrendering his passport were not opposed by police. Magistrate Kay Ryan ordered a brief of evidence be delivered by February 15. The man will return to the committal call-over court on February 22. Last year, the second Hear Her Voice report which highlighted the experiences of women and girls across the criminal justice system was handed down. The report made 188 recommendations, including educational campaigns aimed to dispel rape myths, among others. One of the key recommendations was the ability to name people charged with sexual offences in Queensland, bringing it into line with other states and jurisdictions. An aspiring jockey has been tragically killed after his horse collided with an oncoming rider during training. Track officials at Tampa Bay Downs identified the victim Saturday as 19-year-old Daniel Quintero, an exercise rider at the course. Announcing the incident on social media before the days races were underway, staffers at the Tampa facility said the accident occurred at around 7am ET. It is believed the teenager died after his horse bolted the wrong way around the track, colliding with another horse coming in the opposite direction. Both horses and the other jockey escaped without injury, while Quintero - who was born in Venezuela and reportedly dreamed of being jockey - died instantly. Track officials at Tampa Bay Downs identified the victim Saturday as 19-year-old Daniel Quintero (pictured), an exercise rider at the course Detectives are now investigating the teen's death, though it does not appear foul play was involved. Jockeys were seen bowing their heads in mourning for their fellow rider during a moment of silence Saturday held in Quintero's honor, shortly before races resumed as usual for the day. The decision to go through with the days events despite Quintero's death did not sit well with many, who took to social media to slam staff at the historic staff for seemingly making light of the tragedy. The youngster's death is the the second fatality to hit the the US horse racing circuit in as many weeks, and has spurred discord over the dangers of the sport. Dozens of fellow riders took to social media to offer kind words of remembrance for Quintero, while several other questioned why the track continued to hold races despite the teen's death. Jason Beem, Tampa Bay Downs' track announcer, confirmed Saturday that two horses were involved in the accident, and that they clashed on the facilitys track shortly before 7 am. A spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the local police department, later said police were notified of an incident at 7am local time. He later confirmed that a man was pronounced dead at the scene. Shortly thereafter, the track - which opened to the public back in 1926 - confirmed Quintero's death in a post on social media. 'The entire racetrack community expresses its condolences to his family members and friends,' the tweet from Tampa Bay Downs' official Twitter account read. Officials further wrote that 'Quintero, 19, died as a result of a training accident this morning.' Jockeys were seen bowing their heads in mourning for their fellow rider during a moment of silence Saturday held in Quintero's honor, shortly before races resumed as usual for the day It added that the track would 'observe a moment of silence at 12:20 pm in honor of Quintero.' The Racing Post, a tabloid that covers horse racing nationally, offered more detail on the teenager's death, reporting that 'the 19-year-old's horse bolted the wrong way around the track,' causing it to collide with 'an oncoming galloper.' A moment of silence was subsequently held for Quintero before the day's race card began, with photos showing deceased's fellow riders hanging their heads in a solemn tribute to their fallen colleague. Other nearby racecourses - such as Gulfstream Park, Laurel Park, and Santa Anita - also had moments of silence. The identity of the jockey who collided with Quintero, meanwhile, was not immediately available. DailyMail.com reached out to Tamp Bay Downs Sunday for comment. As news of Quintero's death spread, members of the racing community who knew the youngster's offered stirring insight into the teen's life through posts on social media and personal accounts offered to members of the press. Police are now investigating the teen's death, though it does not appear foul play was involved Sydney Fried, a pony rider at Tampa Bay Downs, said: 'Daniel was an intelligent young man. He didn't know much English but that didn't stop him from trying to learn more every day. 'He was always paying attention to everything around him. He never hesitated to ask any questions and once he got the answer he learned very quick.' She continued: 'I don't think I ever saw him without a smile on his face - and he was always trying to put a smile on yours.' She added that while relatively inexperienced, Quintero 'was willing and wanted to learn, and the last thing he was was lazy. 'You don't get better unless you put in the work and Daniel wasn't afraid to do just that.' The decision to go through with the days events despite Quintero's death did not sit well with many, who took to social media to slam staff at the historic staff for making light of the tragedy She added: 'It's very sad because he would be one of the first ones to say "good morning" every day. 'Tomorrow is going to be rough for all of us that had the pleasure of knowing Daniel.' Others offered similar condolences - while others questioned brass at the Downs for going through with the day's races as planned. Longtime jockey Jose L. Verenzuela, tweeting in Spanish, posted a photograph of Quintero - who had only recently had moved north from Venezuela and began work at the track - wearing his riding helmet. Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado, also took to Facebook to celebrate the teenager's legacy. Others, including Westlake Racing Stable in California, criticized Tampa Bay Downs staff for not calling off the day' card. The stable wrote in response to the track's post announcing Quintero's death: 'Out of respect for Daniel Quintero, his family, friends, and co-workers @TampaBayDownsFL should have never run their race card today. 'This is about as disrespectful as it comes. Im sure people that work in the backstretch @TampaBayDownsFL are grieving. Why race why not wait a day?' Others expressed similar sentiments, with someone else writing, 'Your going to have a card after this terrible accident? Wow.' Another remarked: 'Somehow you will still run today, worse[sic] track ever.' Quintero's death comes just a week after horse-racing saw another of its riders' lives snuffed out prematurely, following the death of 23-year-old Avery Whisman. Whisman rode in the Mid-Atlantic region after beginning his career in 2018, and passed away Wednesday at the age of 23 after a long battle with what his family only described as a 'prolonged illness.' His sister told bloodhorse.com: 'He had the biggest heart. He wanted everyone to know they were loved and cherished by him. 'We are not ashamed of what happened. We hope this tragedy can help someone else. 'We never want anyone to go through the pain we are suffering.' For four days after his arrest, airline pilot Greg Lynn was grilled by detectives about the disappearance of Melbourne campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay. The couple vanished while camping in the Wonnangatta area of Victoria's alpine region, and until November 2021 no one had any clue what had happened to them. A magistrate is set to determine if details of the case against accused camper killer Greg Lynn (pictured) can be revealed or should be kept secret until a possible trial Picture: Facebook Carol Clay, 73, (pictured left) and Russel Hill went missing while on a camping trip in the Victorian Alps on March 20 Police have remained tight-lipped as to whether the investigation at the small regional town is linked to the campers' disappearance But what he told officers during that interview could be kept from the public until any future trial. Lynn, 56, is charged with murdering the couple at their Bucks Camp campsite, sometime after 6pm on March 20, 2020. He denies the charges. Police allege that after killing the pair he set fire to their campsite to destroy any potential evidence and dumped their bodies in remote bushland near Dargo. They also claim Lynn returned in May and/or November that year to tamper with their remains by 'burning, dispersing and partially interring them'. The campsite of Russel Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, was discovered by police on March 21 burned out (pictured) but there was no sign of the pair Forensics teams pictured at Moondarra - 200km away from where the elderly pair went missing. Their remains were only discovered on November 29, 2021 - days after Lynn was charged. DNA evidence was used to identify Mr Hill's remains while jewellery found with the bodies identified Ms Clay, according to evidence presented at a committal hearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court. Prosecutors or police are yet to reveal how it's alleged Lynn killed the couple, or what motivated the murders. Lead investigator, Detective Senior Constable Brett Florence, is among the final witnesses expected to give evidence in the hearing, which will determine if there's sufficient evidence to send Lynn to trial. But on Friday Lynn's legal team made a bid to prevent publication of significant pieces of prosecution evidence. Release of Lynn's police interview, a statement he made in July 2020 and a recorded interview the same day pose a real and substantial risk of prejudice to the administration of justice, barrister Dermot Dann KC argued. 'The contents of these items of evidence are explosive, or may be seen as explosive in the eyes of readers or viewers,' Mr Dann said during a hearing on Friday, referring to the potential for sensational reporting. He highlighted concerns over the length of the interview, the approach to Lynn's right to silence and the approach to his legal advice. Mr Dann has previously described some aspects of the evidence as 'highly inadmissible', flagging a future challenge to have details cut from the prosecution case altogether. Magistrate Brett Sonnet will hand down his ruling on Monday, when the final witnesses are expected to begin giving their evidence. She refused to provide her name and was arrested Woman was driving car when she was pulled over Footage has captured the moment a 'sovereign citizen' driver clashed with police before she was dragged out of her car. The woman was pulled over on the Gold Coast, Queensland, recently and recorded her tense confrontation with police. Video showed the woman trying to speak over the officer, refusing to provide her name and calling him aggressive. Footage has captured the wild moment a sovereign citizen driver clashed with police before she was pulled out of her vehicle The woman begins to commentate in the video that she has just been pulled over by police before she is interrupted by one of the officers. He asks her to provide him with her full name but she refuses and asks him for his personal details. The officer obliges the request before asking the woman a second time for her name. 'I do not consent,' the woman said. The officer warns the woman she will be arrested if she continues to refuse to provide her details. 'Under what law?' the woman said. The officer tells the woman to listen to him before she butts in. The woman filmed the confrontation on her phone showing her trying to speak over the officer, refusing to provide her name and calling him aggressive The woman passes the phone to her passenger to continue recording as she is pulled from the vehicle 'You listen to me please,' she said. The woman tries to cut off the police officer while he is speaking to her. 'You're being very aggressive,' she said. 'What crime have I committed?' 'You are unlicensed at the moment,' the officer responded. 'And you're obstructing me.' The officer and his colleague explain the woman is under arrest at which point the woman tries to put up her window only for the officer to block it with his arm. 'Don't put that up on me, I will bust your window,' he warned. The woman accuses them of being violent as the officers stand around her car. 'I can't believe the police are going to put me under arrest for a breathalyser,' she said. 'Violence, violence by the police! I have done nothing wrong. Let's discuss this nicely. I will open the door if you calm down.' The incident comes less than a week after a police officer ripped out the window of a sovereign citizen's car when she refused to leave the vehicle in a separate incident The incident took place in Coffs Harbour, NSW, on Wednesday and started when an officer asked Helen Delaney, 52, to wind her window down The officer reaches his arm into the car and unlocks the door. The woman passes the phone to her passenger to continue recording the incident as the officer grabs her right arm and begins to pull her out of the vehicle. Footage of the altercation was uploaded to Twitter where some social media users slammed the driver's actions. 'I love these Sovcit arrest videos. Best thing since the Jerry Springer show,' one wrote. A second added: 'Why do these people video stuff like this? It makes them looking bad towards the police as she is refusing to answer there questions.' The video comes less than a week after a police officer ripped out the window of a sovereign citizen's car when she refused to leave the vehicle in a separate incident. The incident took place in Coffs Harbour, NSW, on Wednesday and started when an officer asked Helen Delaney, 52, to wind her window down. Chloe Fisher was stopped by police while she was driving along the road at Gundagai, in rural NSW The police officer remains composed in the video as the driver continues her ramble explaining her plates are being kept in the car She refused to wind it all the way down and also refused to give her name or driver's licence before telling the officer he had 'no jurisdiction'. He told the so-called sovereign citizen that she was being stopped because she was driving without registration. Later checks found that the registration of the car Delaney was driving had expired in July last year. She was arrested and charged with several offences before being bailed to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Thursday. Earlier this month, another driver claimed she was 'not part of the state' when she clashed with an officer for not displaying registered number plates. Chloe Fisher was stopped by police while she was driving near Gundagai, in rural NSW. She used her phone to film her conversation with the policewoman who asked her for forms of identification and whether the vehicle was registered. Chloe stepped out of the car and explained she hadn't displayed any number plates because she was in the process of 'going sovereign'. PC David Carrick used his police officer status to keep offending until October The majority have been for sexual offences or for violence against women At least 16 Met police officers have been convicted since Sarah Everard murder At least 16 Metropolitan Police officers have been convicted of crimes since the murder of Sarah Everard. The vast majority were for sexual offences or violence against women. Miss Everard, 33, was kidnapped and killed by a serving Met officer in a case that sparked national outrage and triggered calls for more action to tackle violence against women. But there were fresh questions about how many criminals in uniform are hiding in the Mets ranks after a serial rapist policeman pleaded guilty last week to 49 charges against a dozen women. PC David Carrick used his status as a police officer to continue offending until October 2021, when a victim came forward to report him At least 16 Metropolitan Police officers have been convicted of crimes since the murder of Sarah Everard. Left is Mark Collins who sent sex messages to an officer posing as a girl, 13. Right is Benjamin McNish who spied on a woman showering Jamie Rayner (left) throttled, kicked and punched his girlfriend, a fellow officer. Jailed for two years and three months. Will Scott-Barrett (right) was given a nine-month suspended jail sentence after sending graphic sexual pictures to a boy of 15 PC David Carrick used his status as a police officer to continue offending until October 2021, when a victim came forward to report him. A total of at least 16 Scotland Yard officers have been convicted of a range of offences since Miss Everard was murdered in March 2021. Twelve committed sexual offences or violence against women. They include Det Con Mark Collins, 58, caught in an undercover sting after sending highly sexualised messages to an officer posing as a 13-year-old girl. He pleaded guilty to attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and was jailed for two years and four months. Francois Olwage (left) arranged to meet a girl of 13 for sex. He was jailed for five years and six months. Syed Ali (right) sent nearly 500 messages to female crime victim. Jailed for six weeks, suspended for 18 months Jamie Lewis (left) was jailed for two years and nine months for taking and sharing photos of two murdered women. Adnan Arib (right) tried to start a sexual relationship with two vulnerable girls of 15 and 16. Jailed for two years The Home Office has ordered every police force in England and Wales to check all their officers against national databases by the end of March. One of Carricks victims is planning to sue the Met for damages after Scotland Yard failed to stop him on nine separate occasions. The mother of two, who was in a relationship with Carrick for three years, was sexually abused by him after they met on Tinder in 2017. She told how he became violent on their first date by grabbing her by the neck, forced her to take part in bondage sessions and choked her. He also ordered her to clean his house naked and sexually assaulted her. Joel Borders (left) shared vile messages in a WhatsApp group with other officers, while Jonathon Cobban (right) also shared vile messages in a group Deniz Jaffer (left) took and shared photos of two murdered women. Neil Corbel (right) posed as a pilot to secretly film naked models in hotel rooms and AirBnbs Matthew Cooper used a tracking app to monitor his ex-girlfriend. Sentenced to seven months, suspended for two years. The woman, who cannot be identified, said: The police knew what he was like. They didnt investigate properly. 'Nothing will change what happened to me... but I want to take legal action because maybe that will make the police sit up and act in future. Met chief Mark Rowley has admitted his force let women and girls down after Carrick had been reported for crimes nine times since 2000 but still kept his job as an armed officer. Experts say Carricks victims could get tens of thousands of pounds in compensation. The woman planning to sue, who lives in Hertfordshire, told the Sunday Mirror: He told me he was a police officer. I thought he must be someone I could trust. A 56-year-old man has been charged with criminal damage after a gas explosion destroyed a terraced home in the middle of the night. The explosion happened at around 1.10am this morning on Marlborough Avenue in Goole, East Yorkshire. Households miraculously escaped, as no one was injured in a huge blast which rocked a street and forced residents to seek sanctuary in a parish church. Wayne Vines, 56, of Marlborough Avenue, Goole, was charged this afternoon with criminal damage - recklessly endangering life. He was arrested at the scene. He was remanded in custody to appear at Hull Magistrates court tomorrow morning, Humberside Police confirmed. Residents saw a house go up in flames as bricks fell from the property onto the top of cars. A large gaping hole has been left in the property. Wayne Vines, 56, of Marlborough Avenue, Goole, was charged this afternoon with criminal damage A gas explosion rocked a street in Goole, East Yorkshire and forced residents to seek sanctuary in a parish church in the early hours of this morning The blast ripped through one of the houses, leaving a gaping hole and a collapsed roof in the terrace Police said there were no serious injuries and everyone had been accounted for. Those impacted said it was 'like a scene from the Blitz' as 999 workers cleared the wreckage from the blast this morning. Resident Nicolescu Sorin: 'It terrible. It was a gas explosion, it happened around 1am. Pieces of the house wall fell over the cars and across the street, including power lines and tv cable. 'It's the first time I've seen something like this. The intervention of the firemen and the police was exceptional.' She added: 'Everyone be careful. From 1 am to 9 am we were evacuated - a terrible experience so please take care of you and your homes.' Families were ordered to leave their homes on Marlborough Avenue as police, firemen and gas workers sealed off the area. The road has been closed in both directions while investigations are underway. The whole street was closed after the explosion ripped through one of the houses, leaving a gaping hole and a collapsed roof in the terraced home where the blast blew out. One person who was there said: 'The whole street was evacuated to nearby church. A Single bloke lived in property.' One local mother, Lidija Jeremejeva, said: 'Around 2am I heard a noise and felt like our house shook. 'I went to check on my daughter and saw outside of her window a fire in a neighbor's house across of street and that the wall of the second floor fell. Those impacted said it was 'like a scene from the Blitz' as 999 workers cleared the wreckage from the blast The whole street was closed after the explosion ripped through one of the houses 'Others are already called firefighters. In the next 15 minutes (maybe less) the fire took the overall roof. 'Later on, everyone was told there is a gas explosion and we have to evacuate to church.' 'I was told there are no victims. The emergency services left around 8 am. Right now everyone is gone except the workers who cleaned the ruins and the police control blocking half of the street from the roundabout to the middle of the street.' DC Andrew Johnson said: 'I would like to thank the local community for their patience whilst we dealt with the incident. Their understanding is very much appreciated.' A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: 'We are in attendance at the scene of a suspected gas explosion at a house on Malborough Road in Goole. We were called at 1.10am today to reports of an explosion and fire at the address. 'The area was cordoned off to allow emergency services to work safely and for the safety of the public. No one is reported to have been seriously injured. A man has been arrested at the scene on suspicion of committing arson with intent to endanger life. 'He has been taken into police custody. Neighbouring properties have been evacuated as a precaution. Occupants of all neighbouring properties have been accounted for. 'A road closure and police cordon remain in place, and we are asking for people to stay away from the area whilst emergency services deal with the incident.' A people smuggling kingpin has been jailed over the deaths of seven migrants in the Channel, including a toddler whose body washed up on beach in Norway. Rauf Perot Rahimifar and three others were convicted of trafficking and manslaughter over the deadly trip from Dunkirk towards England which ended in tragedy when the tiny boat laden with up to 25 migrants capsized. An entire family was killed, with Rasoul Iran-Nejad and his wife Shiva, both 35, drowning alongside their children Anita, nine, Armin, six, and Artin, 15 months. Two other migrants also died with the rest, including three children, rescued. Rauf Perot Rahimifar (pictured) was convicted of trafficking and manslaughter over the deadly trip Rasoul Iran-Nejad, 35 (left), Shiva Mohammad Panahi, 35 (second from left), Anita, nine (centre), and Armin, six (right) all drowned Artins body was not found until months after the October 2020 disaster on a beach in Norway, 600 miles away. On Friday, the gangs alleged ringleader Rahimifar, 38, who has a 2021 conviction for voyeurism in Denmark, was found guilty of arranging the fatal trip in Dunkirks criminal court. He had smiled regularly throughout his questioning and claimed to be innocent but was jailed for nine years and fined 60,000. Drowned trying to save his children Accomplices Mostafa Kakelahi, 42, and Hoshiar Khezri, got seven and five years respectively plus fines running into the tens of thousands. Shockingly, the trio of Iranian Kurds are said to have continued arranging boat trips across the Channel after the tragedy. All three were found guilty of charges including manslaughter, deliberately endangering life and running a people-trafficking operation said to have run from France to England from September 2020 until October the next year. A fourth man, Assalan Ghorbani, an Iranian migrant said to have volunteered to pilot the doomed boat in return for a free passage, was convicted of manslaughter and deliberately endangering life, as well as people-smuggling and joining a criminal conspiracy but only for the night of the tragedy. Ghorbani absconded as soon as he was bailed and was sentenced to two years in prison and fined 17,500 in his absence. Artin's body was not found until months after the October 2020 disaster on a beach in Norway, 600 miles away Mr Iran-Nejad (left) and his wife, Shiva, (right) with two rescue workers in a French migrant camp. The children are seen from left to right: Artin, Anita and Armin Judge Caroline Vilnat was told the gang had run its boats from between Calais and Dunkirk at the infamous Loon Plage. This was also the launch point for a dinghy that sank in November 2021, killing 27. Unusually, the craft at the centre of the case was a fishing boat with a cabin. The smugglers put the family of five in the cabin to shelter from the chill winds which meant they were trapped inside as the boat sank. Mr Iran-Nejad got out but drowned after repeatedly diving down in a fruitless bid to save his wife and children. The Mail revealed Rahimifar, an asylum-seeker, was arrested in Viborg, Denmark, in June 2021 with police saying he was suspected of running hundreds of voyages from France to England. The case was based on substantial mobile phone evidence with help from British law enforcement and the Danish police and courts. Rahimifars wife Hajar, 33, and their four children are believed to remain in Denmark. The FBI searched President Joe Bidens home in Wilmington, Delaware, on Friday and located additional documents with classified markings and also took possession of some of his handwritten notes, the presidents lawyer said Saturday. The president voluntarily allowed the FBI into his home, but the lack of a search warrant did not dim the extraordinary nature of the search. It compounded the embarrassment to Biden that started with the disclosure Jan. 12 that the presidents attorneys had found a small number of classified records at a former office at the Penn Biden Center in Washington shortly before the midterm elections. Since then, attorneys found six classified documents in Bidens Wilmington home library from his time as vice president. Though Biden has maintained theres no there there, the discoveries have become a political liability as he prepares to launch a reelection bid, and they undercut his efforts to portray an image of propriety to the American public after the tumultuous presidency of his predecessor, Donald Trump. During Fridays search, which lasted nearly 13 hours, the FBI took six items that contained documents with classified markings, said Bob Bauer, the presidents personal lawyer. The items spanned Bidens time in the Senate and the vice presidency, while the notes dated to his time as vice president, he said. The level of classification, and whether the documents removed by the FBI remained classified, was not immediately clear as the Justice Department reviews the records. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Fitzpatrick confirmed Saturday that the FBI had executed a planned, consensual search of the presidents residence in Wilmington. The president and first lady Jill Biden were not at the home when it was searched. They were spending the weekend at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Speaking to reporters during a trip to California on Thursday, Biden said he was fully cooperating and looking forward to getting this resolved quickly. We found a handful of documents were filed in the wrong place, Biden said. We immediately turned them over to the Archives and the Justice Department. It remained to be seen whether additional searches by federal officials of other locations might be conducted. Bidens personal attorneys previously conducted a search of the Rehoboth Beach residence and said they did not find any official documents or classified records. The Biden investigation has also complicated the Justice Departments probe into Trumps retention of classified documents and official records after he left office. The Justice Department says Trump took hundreds of records marked classified with him upon leaving the White House in early 2021 and resisted months of requests to return them to the government, and that it had to obtain a search warrant to retrieve them. Bauer said the FBI requested that the White House not comment on the search before it was conducted, and that Bidens personal and White House attorneys were present. The FBI, he added, had full access to the Presidents home, including personally handwritten notes, files, papers, binders, memorabilia, to-do lists, schedules, and reminders going back decades. The Justice Department, he added, took possession of materials it deemed within the scope of its inquiry, including six items consisting of documents with classification markings and surrounding materials, some of which were from the Presidents service in the Senate and some of which were from his tenure as Vice President. Attorney General Merrick Garland has appointed former Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert Hur as a special counsel to investigate any potential wrongdoing surrounding the Biden documents. Hur is set to take over from the Trump-appointed Illinois U.S. Attorney John Lausch in overseeing the probe. Since the beginning, the President has been committed to handling this responsibly because he takes this seriously, White House lawyer Richard Sauber said Saturday. The Presidents lawyers and White House Counsels Office will continue to cooperate with DOJ and the Special Counsel to help ensure this process is conducted swiftly and efficiently. The Biden document discoveries and the investigation into Trump, which is in the hands of special counsel Jack Smith, are significantly different. Biden has made a point of cooperating with the DOJ probe at every turn and Fridays search was voluntary though questions about his transparency with the public remain. For a crime to have been committed, a person would have to knowingly remove the documents without authority and intend to keep them at an unauthorized location. Biden has said he was surprised that classified documents were uncovered at the Penn Biden Center. Generally, classified documents are to be declassified after a maximum of 25 years. But some records are of such value they remain classified for far longer, though specific exceptions must be granted. Biden served in the Senate from 1973 to 2009. Police are hunting for a driver after a car ploughed into a group of pedestrians in north London, injuring six people. Emergency services were called at 7.13pm today following reports that a car collided with pedestrians near the junction with Salisbury Road, Harringay. Officers attended along with the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade. Six pedestrians were injured. Four people were taken to hospital and two people were treated at the scene in Harringay - which is in the borough of Haringey, north London. None of the pedestrians are thoughts to have suffered life-threatening injuries. CCTV footage showed people lying injured in the immediate aftermath of this evening's collision in Harringay, north London, as bystanders rush over to help them The black 4x4 was described as dented and appeared to be kicked by a bystander before it fled the scene Footage taken from the scene appeared to show a black 4x4 dash from the scene as passers-by ran over to help the wounded. One person kicked the car as it fled, while another shouted: 'They just ran over all these people!' Leader of Haringey Council, Cllr Peray Ahmet, wrote on Twitter that she was 'disgusted' the motorist drove away from the scene. A Met spokesman said: 'The car failed to stop at the scene and officers are working to trace the driver. 'Emergency services remain at the scene and road closures are in place. 'The incident is being treated as a road traffic collision. Further enquiries are taking place to establish the circumstances. 'Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 5189/22Jan.' 'My one and only boy!' Reality star gushes over her rarely seen son as he celebrates 15th birthday - can YOU guess who he is? Celebrity offspring When you see a traffic light while driving, it's quite important to be sure of what colour is showing. But this optical illusion might make you doubt yourself, as at first glance the top light appears to be red. However, when the cyan filter is removed, you can see that it is actually grey, and that your brain had fooled you into thinking otherwise. This trick was shared by serial illusionist Dean Jackson, or @beatonthebeeb on TikTok, who explains how it works. At first glance the red light appears to be red. However, when the cyan filter is removed, you can see that it is actually grey, and that your brain had fooled you into thinking otherwise This trick was shared by serial illusionist Dean Jackson, or @beatonthebeeb on TikTok, who explains how it works. if our brain recognises the context of the image and believes it should appear red, it will interpret the grey light as such WHAT IS COLOUR CONSTANCY? Colour constancy is the phenomenon that allows our eyes and brains to perceive something to be the same colour under different lighting conditions. However this ability can be tricked, and can make a colour appear different from what it truly is if it neighbours another one. Advertisement 'It's your brain working overtime convincing you of the red,' he said. At the back of the human eye are photoreceptors - cells that respond to the light shining in. These come in two types, 'rods' or 'cones', and while rods are sensitive to motion and night vision, the cones that are able to detect colour. Humans have three types of cone cells, and each of these are most sensitive to a particular colour, either red, green or blue. The colour cyan is a combination of green and blue, meaning a cyan filter only lets through those two colours, excluding red. So, when a cyan filter is placed over a red light, the vast majority of it cannot penetrate through, and the object should appear dark grey or black. However, if our brain recognises the context of the image and believes it should appear red, it will interpret the grey light as such. This means that when we zoom in and it no longer looks like a traffic light, the image appears to be the grey it truly is. Mr Jackson presents another example of this, by showing an image of a grey Coke can covered with stripes of a cyan filter. The stripes with the filter appear red for the same reason as above, however the grey stripes without the filter do so because of the principle of 'colour constancy'. This is the phenomenon that allows our eyes and brains to perceive something to be the same colour under different lighting conditions. However this ability can be tricked, and can make a colour appear different from what it truly is if it neighbours another one. In this case, a cyan stripe next to a grey stripe can make the grey appear red. The stripes with the filter appear red for the same reason as above, however the grey stripes without the filter do so because of the principle of 'colour constancy' Scientists have also debunked another illusion, which makes the below series of squares appear to be moving when they are actually static. You see them as shifting because your brain is being tricked by a phenomenon known as 'illusory motion'. Our brains detect a change in light as motion, so adjacent light and dark edges, even when static, activate motion-detecting neurons in the visual pathways. The illusion has been part of human history for 20,000 years, as prehistoric artists used natural bulges of the rock to add illusory volume and depth in cave drawings of horses and bison. This optical illusion using illusionary motion to trick your brain into thinking the squares are moving. This happens because of the luminesce edges, which your eyes perceive as motion Just FOUR Chelsea players send their thanks to Graham Potter, over 24 hours after his sacking Cucurella and Chilwell the only ones to speak up Brandon Moreno was forced to flee the arena in Brazil after beating home favourite Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 283, shocking footage has revealed. The Mexican triumphed in the lion's den in Rio de Janeiro in the early hours of Sunday morning UK time, winning by TKO after doctors called off the fight due to Figueiredo's eye being unable to open. And Moreno, who reclaimed the unified flyweight title as a result, had to sprint out of the venue flanked by security to avoid reprisals from furious fans. Brandon Moreno, 29, was forced to flee the arena in Brazil after beating Deiveson Figueiredo Shocking footage on social media shows Moreno ushered out by security in Rio de Janeiro The 'Baby Assassin' bolted as furious supporters hurled beer cups and other objects in Brazil Fans in Brazil threw stuff at Brandon Moreno, security had to cover & rush him out of there pic.twitter.com/e1ygDxMsvL @ (@FTBeard7) January 22, 2023 Video released on social media site Twitter shows Moreno being hurriedly ushered out of the arena with beer cups and other objects raining down on him as some in the crowd made their frustration known with the result. In the clip, already viewed nearly 150,000 times, the commentator says: 'And now he (Moreno) is getting ushered out of the arena... oh my God, oh my God!' The Assassin Baby, 29, now 21-6-2, is now undisputed king of the flyweight division after his 'quadrilogy' fight against Figueiredo, his fourth bout in the last five against the Brazilian veteran. Moreno reclaimed the unified flyweight title after winning by TKO on Sunday morning UK time 'Figgy Smalls' was forced to retire by the doctor because he could not open his left eye at all Figgy Smalls (21-3-1) drew with Moreno in 2020 to retain his title, lost it in 2021, won it back in January 2022 before losing it again at the weekend. Elsewhere at UFC 283, Johnny Walker beat Paul Craig at light-heavyweight, Jessica Andrade defeated Lauren Murphy at flyweight, Gilbert Burns overcame Neil Magny at welterweight before Jamahal Hill smashed Glover Teixeira in the main event. Hill bludgeoned Teixeira into retirement over five brutal rounds as he claimed the vacant belt. Escape from the 3,659-sq-ft property is also hampered by a 'stunning' pool and 'heavenly' bedrooms Advertisement There should be a word for it. That feeling you have in the mornings on a ski holiday when youre desperate to hit the slopes, but are being held back by the cosiness of your accommodation (the Germans probably have it covered). The luxurious snugness of Consensio Chalets five-bedroom Chalet Blackcomb in the world-class French resort of Val d'Isere is like a tractor beam. My room is a heavenly cocoon, with a divine king-sized bed, beautifully soft pillows, mini banquette, en suite with a walk-in rain shower augmented by classy black fittings and views of dramatic peaks. 'The luxurious snugness of Consensio Chalets Chalet Blackcomb (above) in the French resort of Val d'Isere is like a tractor beam,' says Ted Thornhill Above is Chalet Blackcomb's open kitchen area, where guests can watch/chat with the hosts as they prepare meals Escape this, and theres the lure of the 3,659-sq-ft propertys breathtaking living areas to overcome. Behold the ginormous open kitchen where guests can watch/chat with the hosts as they prepare meals either on stools at the kitchen island or from adjacent sofas. Then feel your limbs become heavier and heavier as they struggle to transport you away from the main living room, with its epic horseshoe-shaped sofa, beautiful cushions, fireplace and fairy-tale corner 'book nook', which has an armchair, rug and pillows. The spellbinding properties of the utterly gorgeous wooden panelling and vast beams, made from reclaimed old pine and spruce wood, generously smothered all over the chalet also play their part in slowing ones exit, not to mention the stunning indoor pool. Water treat: Pictured above is the stunning oxygenated pool and relaxation area Perrier-Jouet Champagne is 'bottomless' at Chalet Blackcomb and readily available. Jump in the hot tub, and its delivered to you as a matter of course But exit one absolutely must, because Val dIsere, which sits at an altitude of 1,850m (6,069ft) and is linked to Tignes, is a ski station of eye-opening calibre, and during my two-night January stay the snow is in tip-top condition. My very good Burton snowboard and boots are supplied by the Val dIsere branch of the Oxygene Ski & Snowboard School, which comes to the (also cosy) Chalet Blackcomb boot room for the fitting. Were chauffeured by the chalet in a VW van to the main junction, around a five-minute drive away, and guided hither and thither by tremendous Oxygene ski guide Antoine Prieur, whos fun, friendly and knows the slopes like the back of his hand. And those slopes are testing. If you can ski in Val dIsere you can ski anywhere, says Antoine, who explains that even the greens have steepish sections and the blues are dark blue. There are five bedrooms at Chalet Blackcomb. Above is the 'owner's' suite, which offers stunning views of Val d'Isere This image shows Ted's 'heavenly' bedroom Theres even a thrilling chairlift Leissieres which goes up and over a ridgeline in spectacular stomach-churning style. Its a resort that gets the adrenalin pumping and for this reason Antoine loves it - and is keen to clock up some miles with our group over the two mornings hes booked with us to show us what it has to offer. Were of varying abilities, from confident beginners to veteran, so we stick to the greens and blues, with a couple of the more experienced skiers and I tackling what Antoine describes as a very challenging red down to the resort, called Plan. Were treated to magnificent views as we negotiate the cambered, twisty route. The Leissieres chairlift isnt far off for heart-thumping excitement, though. On day two were out in a snowfall that hampers visibility on bare terrain, so we make our acquaintance with the eye-catching tree-lined runs around the Daille gondola a couple of kilometres from the main village. And stop off at a welcoming restaurant for a coffee that has little baskets on the walls for gloves and helmets. Cunning. The 3,659-sq-ft property can accommodate 10 guests, and is hosted by professional chefs Henry Eldon and Mikkaila Mckeever-Willis The write stuff: This image shows the fairy-tale 'book nook' in the main living room area La Folie Douce Val dIsere, located at the top of the Daille gondola, is an even more memorable pit-stop. What started off as a small self-service restaurant is now practically a mini resort, with gourmet restaurants indoors and out, jaw-dropping acrobatic displays, and an outdoor bar where skiers and boarders dance on the tables to thumping dance music - and vocals from a man dressed in a silver cowboy outfit. Its a few degrees below zero during our al fresco Folie Douce lunch, but the restaurant keeps the shivering to a minimum by giving us a set of amazing garments to cocoon ourselves in that are like sleeping bags with arms. Climbing inside them is a tad awkward, but warmth trumps dignity in this frigidity. Even Chalet Blackcomb's boot room is cosy. It's here that Ted's snowboard fitting takes place, courtesy of Oxygene Ski & Snowboard School Chalet Blackcomb is available to book for catered ski holidays from mid-December to the end of April, and costs from 2,200 (1,935) per person for seven days Hosts Henry Eldon and Mikkaila Mckeever-Willis Our other lunch stop is at La Grande Ourse restaurant by the main lift area where, unexpectedly, an impressive cover band wanders from table to table taking requests, their heavy French accents disappearing completely as they knock out songs by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Foodwise, the tartiflette I have is as wonderfully comforting as the olde-worlde dark-wood decor. There are gourmet treats at the chalet, too, courtesy of charming hosts Henry Eldon and Mikkaila Mckeever-Willis, both professional chefs and both capable of elevated, inventive cooking. Their charcuterie sausage rolls are divine, their rabbit with wild mushrooms is heavenly and their charred pineapple with rum caramel inspired. This image shows some of the runs at Val d'Isere that lead to the main village, including the famous La Face black run on the right-hand side If you can ski in Val dIsere you can ski anywhere, says Antoine, Ted's resort guide from the Oxygene Ski & Snowboard School Val d'Isere is about a 40-minute drive from Bourg-Saint-Maurice railway station, where TGVs arrive from Paris Chalet Blackcomb isn't ski in/ski out, but guests can be chauffeured to the slopes, which are mere minutes away Ted writes: 'Feel your limbs become heavier and heavier as they struggle to transport you away from the main living room' La Folie Douce Val dIsere is a 'memorable pit-stop' Were also offered smashed peas and concasse tomato on toast for breakfast, a refreshing creation that gets me out of my comfort zone as a pain au chocolat devotee in the mornings in France. Ones taste buds are also treated to some delicious drinks Henry makes a mean espresso martini, the wines are very decent and the house Perrier-Jouet Champagne is 'bottomless' and readily available. Jump in the hot tub, and its delivered to you as a matter of course. Maybe there should be a word for it that feeling you get when youre out on the mountain and dont want to leave, but cant resist the pull of a luxury lair, great food and Champagne. It's expected to be another action-packed time in EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, with debuts, weddings, exits and arrests galore. Fans are eagerly anticipating the arrival of Patsy Kensit in EastEnders as Lola Pierce's estranged mother, as her terminally-ill daughter races to tie the knot with her fiance Jay after an unexpected hospital dash. So, MailOnline takes a look at the biggest storylines that are set grip viewers in soapland this week... EastEnders Arrival: This week is expected to be another action-packed time in soap land, as Patsy Kensit makes her debut in EastEnders as Lola Pierce's estranged mother This week finally sees Patsy make her debut as Lola's mother Emma Harding, after her casting was first announced late last year. As Lola and Jay rush to plan their big day while she battles a terminal brain tumour, Billy manages to find Emma at work, hoping he can convince her to attend the wedding. As Lola's hen party approaches, she becomes concerned by how unwell she's been feeling, suffering a crisis of confidence about her appearance. Thanks to pal Kim and Denise, Lola enjoys a glamorous transformation and a night out ahead of her big day, but the next morning Jay and Bill notice she's become secretive with her phone. Emotional: Lola rushes to make her wedding to fiancee Jay as she struggles with her terminal illness, unaware that grandfather Billy has got in touch with her mother Tough time: As Lola's hen party approaches, she becomes concerned by how unwell she's been feeling, suffering a crisis of confidence about her appearance Here comes the bride! But as Lola dons her wedding gown, she becomes concerned about her symptoms, and detours to the hospital After Jay and Billy get a hold of her phone, Lola furiously berates them, and on the morning of her wedding, is once again concerned about worrying symptoms she's been having. Donning her wedding dress and veil, Lola and Kim detour to the hospital on their way to the venue so she can get checked out. Lola then confesses that she can't marry Jay after all, and Jay is furious when he learns Billy has contacted Emma without his granddaughter's knowledge. As Jay waits at the registry office for his bride, Lola arrives, before quickly asking to have a word with him - leaving viewers on tenterhooks to see whether the big day will go ahead. What? As Jay eagerly waits at the registry office, Lola finally turns up before admitting that they can't get married after all - will they make it down the aisle? Huge move: Elsewhere in Albert Square, Ricky Butcher makes a drastic decision about his future with Sam Mitchell as her son Ricky Jr faces the police Scary: She is forced to accompany her son Ricky Jr to the police station of he learns about teen Lily Slater's pregnancy Marry me? He makes the drastic move of proposing to Sam, as she remains conflicted about whether or not to stay in Walford Elsewhere in Albert Square, Ricky Butcher makes a drastic decision about his future with Sam Mitchell as her son Ricky Jr faces the police. Having reconnected with his old flame, and gained custody of Scarlette in the wake of Janine Butcher's arrest, Ricky plans to go back to Germany with Sam, but she remains conflicted about her decision. Meanwhile, Sam's son Ricky Jr learns that Lily Slater is pregnant, and is upset further when Sam tells him she's planning to move back to Germany. As Ricky chooses an engagement ring for Sam, she takes her son to the police station after discovering Lily's underage pregnancy, but as she turns around she sees Ricky down on one kneE. Viewers will have to wait and see whether Sam says yes, especially as she vows to support her son at the police station. EastEnders airs on Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Explosive: Over in Coronation Street, Max Platt's extremist videos cause yet more trouble on the cobbles, as his bully Blake reveals his plans for another shocking incident Coronation Street Over in Weatherfield, teen Max Platt remains under the influence of extremist grooming, even after he sounded the alarm that the far-right group had planted a bomb in Speed Daal. Even after reporting group leader Griff to the police, behind closed doors Max showed that his far-right views hadn't changed, and this week another shocking incident will unfold, organised by Max's former bully Blake. As part of her plans to help local refugees, councillor Maria Connor hosts a drop-in session at Speed Daal, insisting she will not let the extremists win. What will happen? As he livestreams his attendance at a drop-in session for refugees hosted by Maria Connor, viewers will be on edge of what shocking act Blake could commit Trouble! After Blake is confronted by police, they also turn up at Max's door, where they arrest him on suspicion of incitement to murder While at home, Max begins to watch a racially-charged rant that Blake has posted online, and in one tense moment he vows to put a stop to Maria's drop-in session. Blake continues to record himself while he heads into the restaurant, while Maria gives a speech to those in attendance. Viewers will have to wait and see what happens next, but Blake is later confronted by police and he immediately claims he was inspired to go on a stabbing spree by Max's videos. Soon enough, the authorities arrive at Max's house and reveal they are arresting him on suspicion of incitement to murder. What's going on? Elsewhere on the cobbles, Tyrone Dobbs is just weeks into his marriage to wife Fiz , but already he's sparked concerns that he could be having an affair Cheating AGAIN? Grandmother Evelyn follows a suited and booted Tyrone to a hotel bar, while his wife Fiz is away Elsewhere on the cobbles, Tyrone Dobbs is just weeks into his marriage to wife Fiz, but already he's sparked concerns that he could be having an affair. Evelyn begins to grow suspicious when Fiz tells her friend Sally that their sex life isn't what it once was, and when she leaves Weatherfield to visit her mum, Tyrone fails to kiss his wife goodbye. As Tyrone gets all suited and booted, he catches his grandmother's attention, and with Roy Cropper in tow she follows him to hotel bar. Watching him from afar, Evelyn and Roy are stunned to see Tyrone enjoying a drink with a blonde woman - but is all as it seems? Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Cosy! Watching him from afar, Evelyn and Roy are stunned to see Tyrone enjoying a drink with a blonde woman - but is all as it seems She's leaving! This week will see a big exit for one of Emmerdale's longest serving characters, as Priya Sharma bids farewell to the village after 11 years on the soap Emmerdale This week will see a big exit for one of Emmerdale's longest serving characters, as Priya Sharma bids farewell to the village after 11 years on the soap. The week begins with Priya and Leyla hosting an important event at Take A Vow, but when a veil catches alight from candles, Priya becomes helpless with fear, reliving the trauma of being left scarred by a fire in the maize maze in 2021. Fraught Jai searches for Priya and understanding her past trauma, Manpreet agrees to help. Dramatic: The week begins with Priya and Leyla hosting an important event at Take A Vow, but when a veil catches alight from candles, Priya becomes helpless with fear Worried: Priya relives the trauma of the maize maze fire, which left her permenantly scarred Unaware that Leyla was already offered a job in London by the client Justin, Priya decides to meet him for coffee, and immediately accepts his job offer over the phone. Leyla is left stunned when Priya reveals she's been offered the job with Justin's company, but Priya defends herself, explaining that she didn't even know Justin had offered Leyla the job; but Leyla accuses Priya of sabotage. Unhappy about Priya's plan to move away for the new job with their daugher Amba, David is determined to take control, and Priya is left distraught when she concludes that her ex has kidnapped their child. Desperate to fix the situation, Jacob and Pollard try and convince Priya not to call the police, while Leyla is determined to help, and finds David hiding in a cottage. Raging: Later Leyla is furious when Priya accepts a job in London with a client that she had already been offered, accusing her of sabotage Drama! Unhappy about her plan to move away for the new job with their daughter Amba, David is determined to take control, and Priya is distraught when he appears to kidnap their child Raging: Defensive David refuses to see sense and is in denial as Leyla accuses him of running away from his problems What will happen? The conclusion to this drama will lead to Priya's exit from the village next week, but will she be taking her daughter Amba with her? Defensive David refuses to see sense and is in denial as Leyla accuses him of running away from his problems, and he locks her in the bathroom before she can contact the authorities. The conclusion to this drama will lead to Priya's exit from the village next week, but will she be taking her daughter Amba with her? Elsewhere, teen Cathy Hope opens up about her menstrual struggles to an unlikely ally, after making a crude jibe to Bernice about the menopause. In the cafe, Bernice tries to help Cathy with her revision, but when the teen makes a hurtful comment, she hurries out. Hard time: Elsewhere, teen Cathy Hope opens up about her menstrual struggles to an unlikely ally, after making a crude jibe to Bernice about the menopause Upsetting: Despite Bob's best efforts to scold Cathy she lashes out by smashing Heath's guitar, and the next day it is revealed that she had run out of her mock exam Despite Bob's best efforts to scold Cathy she lashes out by smashing Heath's guitar, and the next day it is revealed that she had run out of her mock exam. Inside Connelton, Bernice catches Cathy washing her skirt in the sink, and the teen opens up by admitting she is ashamed by her heavy periods and explains this is the reason why she missed her exam. A pensive Cathy is relieved and grateful for Bernice's support and promises to talk with Manpreet about ways to help manage her symptoms. Shamed Cathy wishes she could tell Bob how she's feeling but instead she lies to get him off her case. The next day, Cathy is honest with Manpreet about her heavy periods and relieved to have got the help she needs as Manpreet writes her a prescription for the pill. Bob informs Cathy that she can re-sit her mock exam, and the teen is relieved to finally put an end to her nightmare as she swallows her first pill. Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1, and ITVX. A betrayal between two sisters, a son's visit to see his convict father in a Category A prison and a desperate pharmacist killing off his neighbour with a rolling pin - episode three of Happy Valley had viewers gripped from start to finish. Now, Tommy Lee Royce is set to head to court over a gangland murder victim who was discovered by Sergeant Catherine Cawood in a drained reservoir. Over half-way into series three, viewers are still left scratching their heads about how the various sub-plots will link up - from a PE teacher's troubled marriage to Alison's job interview with Nevison Gallagher. Gripping: Tommy Lee Royce is set to head to court in episode four of Happy Valley over a gangland murder victim who was discovered by Sergeant Catherine in a drained reservoir Fans are left wondering so many questions - just why is Neil visiting Tommy is prison? What is the significance in the aliens storyline? And who will be blamed for Joanna Hepworth's murder? Here we take a look at this week's top five theories... 1. Tommy Lee Royce is planning his great escape Happy Valley theories: Over half-way into series three, viewers are still left scratching their heads about how the various sub-plots will link up He may have a life sentence over his head for the abduction and rape of Anne Gallagher, murder of officer Kirsten McAskill and attempted murder of Catherine (Sarah Lancashire) and Ryan, but Tommy (James Norton) has grand plans to go bungy-jumping with his 16-year-old son. Last Sunday, viewers watched Ryan (Rhys Connah) quiz Neil Ackroyd (Con O'Neill) as to why his father would suggest such things when there is no prospect of him being released. And with Tommy's court appearance coming up, some believe the convict has hatched a plan to escape the prison walls - thanks to his connections in the criminal underworld. The great escape? Fans think the court date could be the perfect opportunity - and having invited Ryan to watch in the gallery may be planning to take his 16-year-old son with him Fans think the court date could be the perfect opportunity - and having invited Ryan to watch in the gallery - Tommy may be planning to take his 16-year-old son with him. One wrote: 'Have a theory. Tommy is going to try & escape at the court sitting & will try and kidnap Ryan.' Another added: 'Have just said the same (or come after Catherine). Think it was a coded message on his contraband phone last week'. A third viewer chimed: 'I think he's planning to escape at the court hearing and that he's planning to kidnap Ryan. Thinking of that text message on that small phone, I'm wondering if Neil is the lynchpin to get Ryan to the shop and that's where TLR is going to nab him.' 2. Neil is Tommy's father Ulterior motive? Twitter has been going wild with speculation recovering alcoholic Neil is up to no good and is really Tommy's father Twitter has been going wild with speculation recovering alcoholic Neil is up to no good. Eagle-eyed fans believe they have spotted clues which trace back to the previous two series - and the shop worker might not be who he seems. Neil has been taking Ryan to prison on his own, after Catherine's sister Claire found it too difficult. Twist in the tale: Neil has been taking Ryan to prison on his own, after Catherine's sister Claire found it too difficult, but some believe a plot twist could be Neil is actually Tommy's father And some believe a plot twist could be Neil is actually Tommy's father - who has never been revealed. One wrote: 'Calling it now I think Neil is Tommy's dad or they used to work together'. Another fan said: 'Who else thinks Neil is either Tommy's dad or something dodgy going on'. A third theorised: 'I don't think they are father/son. However, Neil seemed rather intimidated by TLR, and there's also that text message that referenced the newsagents and Neil seems to be the connection.' 3. Tommy is the 'big boss' blackmailing pharmacist Faisal Bhatti Halifax gang leader: Fans think Tommy could be the drug lord who has been blackmailing dodgy pharmacist Faisal Bhatti for money - not the Knezevics Fans think Tommy could be the drug lord who has been blackmailing dodgy pharmacist Faisal Bhatti for money - not the Knezevics. Faisal, who has been dubbed Mr Bean by viewers due to his comical expressions, has been spiralling in a downwards circle. Now having taken a rolling pin to Joanna's head and injecting her with air over fears she may expose his illegal selling of drugs, the pharmacist also faces threats from the drug gang if he does not meet their expectations. Viewers think Tommy could be the drug lord behind the Halifax gang, as one of them revealed the 'big boss' was coming to his wedding on Wednesday - the day after Tommy's court appearance. In trouble: Faisal, who has been dubbed Mr Bean by viewers due to his comical expressions, has been spiralling in a downwards circle 4. Don't rule out the 'paranormal' activity in the valley! Episode three saw Sergeant Catherine jokingly ask members of her team to apply for the role as an Alien Liaison Officer after paranormal activity was spotted in the valley. She told them during a briefing: 'In light of recent incidents, sightings and happenings across the Yorkshire area. The Home Office has deemed it necessary to appoint in each division one constable as a dedicated Alien Lifeform Liason Officer.' With one enthusiastic officer telling Catherine he had just seen a sighting, the rest of the officers laughed - but viewers haven't written it off so quickly. Taking to Twitter, one fan theorised: 'I'm telling you the alien thing is relevant. Its not actual aliens but the flashing lights or whatever are to do with the Knezevics dodgy dealings. Humour: Episode three saw Sergeant Catherine jokingly ask members of her team to apply for the role as an Alien Liaison Officer after paranormal activity was spotted in the valley 'It mentioned in the first scene at the reservoir that the body might be an alien. Foreshadowing guys!' Writer Sally referenced police officer Alan Godfrey claiming that he was abducted by aliens after a UFO sighting in the 1980s. 'BTW the throwaway lines about aliens are bloody brilliant and on point. Area in West Yorkshire where #HappyValley is set has a history of reported UFOs etc. More specifically Todmorden area. Cleverly Sally Wainwright has encapsulated it into her story', wrote another. 'For those that don't know... Todmorden is actually the centre of the UK for alien sightings,' said another. Happy Valley continues on BBC One on Sunday at 9pm. Podcasters Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne are going from strength to strength in their broadcasting careers. The popular media personalities have now hit the big time and landed their own national radio show. Alongside radio personality Mitch Churi, the former Bachelor stars will take over the rebranded 3pm slot The Pick Up from veterans Kate Langbroek, Yumi Stynes and Monty Dimond. Former Bachelor stars Brittany Hockley (left) and Laura Byrne (right) have hit the big time and landed their own KIIS show The trio were first approached for the show back in October, with Daily Mail Australia revealing that both Laura and Brittany were offered multi-million dollar deals for the job. 'It's not like we've been sitting on a big secret for as long as people think,' Byrne told The Herald Sun of her new gig. 'All the speculation was before anything was even locked in. It was almost like the cat was out of the bag before we even knew.' The trio were first approached for the show back in October, with Daily Mail Australia revealing that both Laura and Brittany were offered multi-million dollar deals for the job 'I think that's why it's been a really easy transition for us and there haven't been any nerves or worries about can we do it or how we'll do it,' Hockley said. 'We're all legitimately really good friends and we know that the chemistry is there. We know we have just the best times. So it was just a no-brainer.' Churi took to his Instagram to share the news with his followers, writing: 'Beyond excited to announce - Im hosting THE PICKUP!!! I will be joined by two of my fav people in the world every weekday arvo 3-4pm in EVERY major city Australia wide.' Churi (pictured) took to his Instagram to share the news with his followers, writing: 'Beyond excited to announce - Im hosting THE PICKUP!!! I will be joined by two of my fav people in the world every weekday arvo 3-4pm in EVERY major city Australia wide' Byrne and Hockley, whose Life Uncut podcast has also been picked up by KIIS FM, were offered multimillion dollar deals for the job back in October. Life Uncut is arguably Australia's biggest female-fronted podcast, recently rising up the ratings chart to number five. The show is set to launch next Monday. Indigenous presenter Narelda Jacobs is urging citizens not to celebrate Australia Day on January 26. January 26 marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales, and the raising of the Flag of Great Britain at Sydney Cove by Governor Arthur Phillip. For many Indigenous Australians, this day is not a cause for celebration, but rather a reminder of the dispossession of their lands, culture and peoples. Indigenous presenter Narelda Jacobs (pictured) has vowed to 'educate' citizens on Australia Day and why it shouldn't be celebrated on January 26 Narelda, who is of Aboriginal and Irish descent, told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday that many Australians remain unaware of the history of colonialism, and feels it's her responsibility to 'educate' the country on why the date should be changed. 'There is no way that we can celebrate on January 26 not now and not into the future, because the impacts of colonisation have lasted 230-something years, and will continue to last because it's intergenerational,' she said. 'The poverty that we have in this country among First Nations people is absolutely harrowing and yet, half an hour down the road, you can go from extreme poverty to billionaire's row. So that's what January 26 represents to me it was the beginning of that trauma for our people.' she continued. Narelda, who is of Aboriginal and Irish descent, told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday that many Australians remain unaware of the history of colonialism, and feels it's her responsibility to 'educate' the country on why the date should be changed 'So we need to open the eyes to the rest of the population, and educate them about changing the date and it not being a date to celebrate then we will be a better country.' The Studio 10 panelist also said she 'felt like crying tears of joy' after Channel 10 bosses recently sent out a now-infamous email to staff saying they could come to work instead of taking Australia Day off in 2023. Parent company Paramount ANZ's chief content officer Beverley McGarvey and co-lead Jarrod Villani referred to Australia Day only as 'January 26' in the memo. The Studio 10 panelist also said she 'felt like crying tears of joy' after Channel 10 bosses recently sent out a now-infamous email to staff saying they could come to work instead of taking Australia Day off in 2023 The pair told staff it was 'not a day of celebration' for Indigenous people and said employees could decide whether they wished to take the day off as a public holiday or work if they preferred. It comes after Narelda sparked a heated debate on social media after she called for the monarchy to apologise for its colonisation of First Nations people following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Her request was met with support from some progressive Australians but also backlash from Britons who feel they do not owe First Nations people an apology for the actions of their ancestors more than 200 years ago. Others pointed out that Narelda is of Irish and English descent on her mother's side, making her 'as much British as she is Indigenous'. Narelda's late father Cedric was an Indigenous man and a member of the Stolen Generations, while her mother Margaret, who is white, migrated to Australia from Northern Ireland with her family. Philippines looks forward to welcoming back Chinese tourists Xinhua) 10:04, January 22, 2023 MANILA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines is looking forward to welcoming Chinese tourists back to the Southeast Asian country, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said on Saturday. "We look forward to the significant contribution of the Chinese market to the recovery and resurgence of the Philippine travel and tourism industry," Frasco said in a message on the Chinese New Year which falls on Sunday. "We gladly welcome back our Chinese friends to the Philippines' award-winning and emerging tourist destinations," she added. The Philippines and China have agreed to boost tourism cooperation earlier this month during the visit of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos to China, stressing the importance of people-to-people relations and cultural exchanges between the two nations. Frasco said the Philippines "is grateful for the commitment to the continued pursuit of fruitful and productive Filipino-Chinese interactions." "We embrace with enthusiasm the continued convergence and collaborations of our tourism stakeholders, travelers, tourism players, national agencies, local government units, and host communities, in making the Year of the Rabbit a truly prosperous year for Philippine tourism," she added. Frasco noted the rabbit symbolizes longevity, peace and prosperity. "As we usher in this New Year with hope and optimism for the tourism industry, we look forward to a stronger partnership and collaboration with the Chinese community and stakeholders in the year ahead." As a key economic driver, the tourism industry's contribution to the Philippines' gross domestic product (GDP) stood at 12.7 percent in 2019. Over 1.74 million Chinese tourists visited the Philippines in 2019, an increase of 38.58 percent from 2018. Chinese tourists spent more than 2.3 billion U.S. dollars while vacationing in the country, official data showed. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun) For years, attorney Bridget Cambria has fought for immigrants held at the Berks County detention center, suing the federal government dozens of times to try to stop asylum-seekers from being deported. Everybody in local immigration circles knows that. What many dont know is she once worked at Berks. As a guard. As friends tell it, that job experience in her early 20s propelled Cambria toward two life-altering decisions: One, appalled by the treatment of immigrant families, she would go to law school after graduating from college. And two, she would use her law degree to tear the place down legally, not literally. Cambria, 42, says thats not completely accurate, but theres no question that her motivation for becoming a lawyer was to advocate for the mothers, fathers and children imprisoned at Berks. Now the center is scheduled to close Jan. 31, ending a long and controversial chapter in immigrant detention in Pennsylvania. I feel lighter, Cambria said in an interview. I feel like something righteous happened. Her clients stood among the most vulnerable in the federal immigration system, the people who had children, or were children, who had little money, no connections and, as undocumented migrants, few legal rights. People for whom being sent back to their homelands could be a death sentence. We were successful sometimes, not in other times, Cambria said, but that didnt mean you did not fight. Groups like the Shut Down Berks Coalition condemned Berks as a baby jail, and Amnesty International called it inhumane. Advocate groups plan a victory celebration after the closing. The 96-bed lockup is known for having been one of only three facilities in the country that confined immigrant families mothers, fathers and children together. That role ended when Berks closed in early 2021, but it reopened in 2022 as a detention center for immigrant women. Its in Leesport, run by the county through a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE officials say theyre letting the contract expire because tax dollars can be better spent on facilities that offer greater performance, efficiency and economy of scale. These days more migrants are being held at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, a 1,876-bed private prison in Clearfield County. The last Berks detainee was released Jan. 10. The biggest lesson I learned from Bridget was dont give up, said Karen Hoffman, an immigration attorney with the Ellenberg Law Group in Philadelphia, who worked for Cambria as an advocate for Berks families after graduating from law school in 2016. Even when you are up against powerful forces and seemingly insurmountable odds, you can still win. Immigrants were sent to Berks from across the United States, no matter where they may have entered the country or how they got here by boat, plane or foot. Nearly all were seeking asylum, a legal means of staying in the United States for those who face persecution in their homelands. ICE says it confines foreign nationals to be sure they attend their immigration hearings and so that, if necessary, they can be readily deported. Some migrants are subject to mandatory detention under the law, and others have been deemed public-safety or flight risks by the agency. Cambria and other advocates argue that detention is unnecessary and punitive, that migrants can be released to family members and would still show up for court hearings. In 2017, Cambria won freedom for a 3-year-old Honduran boy, Diego Rivera-Osorio, who had been jailed with his mother for two years. Cambria bought him a tiny Brooks Brothers suit to go before the judge. In 2020, she achieved the release of a 7-year-old Guatemalan girl and her father, enabling the two to reunite with the childs mother and baby brother in New Jersey. She felt compassion to help children like me, said Makaya Revell, who fled deadly political violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo at 16, then spent a year confined at Berks. So many people have been taken off the abyss, off of suffering, because of Bridget. Revell, 36, now runs a conflict-resolution company, Peace Promise Consulting, in York and holds a masters degree from American University in Washington. But in 2002 he was a teenager running for his life. His father and brother had been targeted and killed. A boat took him to New Orleans. And from there, U.S. immigration authorities took him to Berks. Years later, long after he had been transferred to a foster home, and then to another, and then aged out of the youth system, he received an official letter from the U.S. government. It told him to leave the country, to self-deport. Only then did Revell learn that he had lost his asylum case and been ordered removed not long after he arrived. He knew people in his homeland would be waiting to kill him. In 2017, after a string of unsuccessful filings from a series of lawyers, he found his way to Aldea The Peoples Justice Center in Reading. Cambria and attorney Jackie Kline co-founded the center a year earlier, after two years of doing immigration cases around Berks. The center sought to provide free or low-cost legal representation to immigrants. Cambria met him at the door. I know you, she said. Oh my god, its you! Revell replied. It turned out they had met 15 years before at Berks, when he was detained and she was a guard. Revell remembered Cambrias care for the families and her parting promise to return to help them. She took his case. Last year, 20 years after he came to this country, Revell was granted asylum, and with it the right to eventually seek U.S. citizenship. Cambria was a student at Albright College in Reading, where she grew up, when Berks opened in 2001. She was studying criminal justice and looking for a job. Berks hired her immediately, as a shelter care counselor. She was disappointed to be assigned to the centers immigration wing. In fact, she said, it directed my whole life going forward. One boy, about 15, from El Salvador, told Cambria about the violence he experienced on the streets. She tried to get him to call his family. Who am I going to call? he asked her. My mom doesnt have a phone. Another time, Cambria helped plan a birthday party for a Jamaican girl, arriving at work excited only to find the girl was gone. She had turned 18, and on her birthday authorities transferred her to an adult facility. That was the hardest part, Cambria said. Children disappeared without warning, and she never knew what happened to them. After about a year it was time for her to go, too. She graduated from Roger Williams University Law School in Rhode Island in 2006. Whats next for Cambria? Now that the jail that dominated her waking and working hours will be gone? Now I concentrate on building our community, she said. If you walk in here and you have a case, youre going to get a lawyer. We dont turn people away. (c)2023 The Philadelphia Inquirer Visit The Philadelphia Inquirer at www.inquirer.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Left-wing activists have taken to Twitter to slam the closure of Sydney Harbour Bridge this weekend for filming of Ryan Gosling's The Fall Guy. The closure comes weeks after climate change protester Deanna 'Violet' Coco, 31, was sent to prison in December for eight months after she blocked a lane in April. Twitter activists fumed at what they called a 'double standard' after Ms Coco was put behind bars for what a magistrate called 'selfish emotional' actions. Left-wing activists slam Ryan Gosling's movie The Fall Guy for closing down Sydney Harbour Bridge - after climate protester was sent to jail for eight months for blocking a bridge lane. Pictured: Ryan Gosling filming on the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday 'Filming a Ryan Gosling flick closes the Harbour Bridge. All good. But a woman delays traffic on same to protest fossil fuels and she's imprisoned. Got it,' one wrote. Others agreed with the sentiment, seeing jail time for Ms Coco as quite excessive for blocking a lane of traffic on the bridge. 'Sydney Harbour Bridge closed this morning for filming. All lanes closed both directions to cars, bikes, pedestrians. What prison sentence will they get? Oh wait...It's for money making purposes not for reducing emissions to save the climate,' they wrote. Twitter activists fumed at what they called a 'double standard' after Ms Coco was put behind bars for what a magistrate called 'selfish emotional' actions. Pictured: Deanna 'Violet' Coco being arrested Yet another added: 'Sydney Harbour Bridge closed for the filming of a move with Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. Remember when the NSW Govt locked-up Violet Coco late last year? The cognitive dissonance is massive. Shut is shut.' The bridge was closed from 3am to 10am in both directions. The Cahill Expressway was shut from 1am to 12.30pm. The cycleway and footpath was closed from 5.30am to 10am. The Cahill Expressway walkway was closed from 2.30am to 12.30pm. Twitters users were outraged by the closure after the climate activist was jailed for blocking one lane in April last year. She was sentenced in December Photos from the bridge showed production was in full swing in the harbour city with Ryan squatting next to his stunt double. At one point he looked to be riding on the edge of a skip bin in scenes that take place on the bridge. The full-scale production saw the bridge filled with filmmaking equipment as well as a handful of cars and trucks for what would be the epic scenes. Helicopters were also seen in the sky flying low as they filmed the high-octane scenes with the move reportedly also upsetting nearby residents. Ms Coco (pictured) fronted Downing Centre Local Court in December before being sentenced to 15 months, with an eight month non-parole period Climate change activist Deanna 'Violet' Coco was sentenced to a minimum of eight months prison in December after blocking traffic on the bridge. The court was told Coco drove a large hire truck along the Cahill Expressway on the bridge to purposefully block a lane during peak hour on April 13, around 8.30am. While the truck was obstructing traffic, she stood on top of it, held a lit emergency flare and livestreamed the event. The full-scale production saw the bridge filled with filmmaking equipment as well as a handful of cars and trucks for what would be the epic scenes After 25 minutes, police arrived and forcibly removed the protesters from the iconic Sydney landmark, with Coco resisting arrest. Defence lawyer Mark Davis told the court a 'salient fact' in Coco's case was that she only blocked one lane on the Sydney Harbour Bridge when there were five. 'One lane was blocked ... it was a deliberate decision to only block one lane,' Mr Davis said. 'To put it simply, the traffic may have still been moving, there was no suggestion there was backup of traffic.' Coco was convicted and sentenced to 15 months imprisonment with a non-parole period of eight months. Her legal counsel immediately filed an appeal. Coco is a serial protester and a member of climate activist groups such as Extinction Rebellion and Fireproof Australia. She has been before the courts previously for rallying against a mining operation while topless and for setting fire to a pram outside Parliament House. The Apprentice candidates enjoyed a night out in Liverpool on Saturday as they gathered to celebrate fellow contestant Victoria Goulbourne's birthday. The 2023 cast - who are featuring in the 17th edition of Lord Sugar's programme - swapped their workwear for busty crop tops and dazzling playsuits as they made their way through the town. Noticeably absent was Gregory Ebbs, who became the third candidate to be fired on The Apprentice this week. Celebrations: The Apprentice candidates enjoyed a night out in Liverpool on Saturday as they gathered to celebrate fellow contestant Victoria Goulbourne's birthday Leading the way was Rochelle Anthony, the so-called 'Kim Kardashian of the business world'. Rochelle looked chic as she donned an oversized T-shirt and black knee-high leather boots for the night out. Holding her hand was birthday girl Victoria, who looked sensational in a sparkly black bodysuit. Far from boardroom ready, the former flight attendant added inches to her gorgeous frame in a pair of black heels and went all out for the occasion with a stunning palette of make up. Party time! The 2023 cast - who are featuring in the 17th edition of Lord Sugar's programme - swapped their workwear for busty crop tops and dazzling playsuits as they made their way through the town Birthday girl: Far from boardroom ready, Victoria added inches to her gorgeous frame in a pair of black heels and went all out for the occasion with a stunning palette of make up Victoria is the owner of an online sweet business in Merseyside, which she began in lockdown and has since become a social media success. Third in line was Shannon Martin, who in the second episode of the series opted to quit the show after deciding she 'loved' her business and 'doesn't need a partner'. The bridal boutique owner opted for a busty display in a shiny blue dress for the occasion. Night out: Leading the way was Rochelle Anthony, the so-called ' Kim Kardashian of the business world' The boys: Behind them, self-made businessman Bradley Johnson and Reece Donnelly looked dapper as they giggled down the street Behind them, self-made businessman Bradley Johnson and Reece Donnelly looked dapper as they giggled down the street. Bradley sported a beige blazer and a black turtle neck jumper for the night out. Reece looked equally suave as he donned an all-black outfit and contrasted the look with a white v-neck. This comes after Gregory became the third candidate to be fired on The Apprentice. Missing: Noticeably absent was Gregory Ebbs, who became the third candidate to be fired on The Apprentice this week Stylish: Rochelle looked chic as she donned an oversized t-shirt and black knee-high leather boots for the night out Ready to party! Also there was Marnie Swindles who donned a sheer silk dress The antiques marketplace owner, was sacked in Thursday's episode after Lord Sugar said he 'struggled' with the task, which saw the teams create a new preschool cartoon to pitch to industry experts. It comes just days after Gregory was forced to apologise after it was revealed his online 'ebay for antiques' marketplace stocked Nazi memorabilia. Ready for the challenge: This year's group started with nine men and nine women who will all do their best to impress Lord Sugar and his advisors, Baroness Karren Brady, Tim Campbell and Claude Littner As Lord Sugar delivered his damning final verdict and fired Gregory, he said in the boardroom: 'Gregory by your own admission you struggled with the task. In business you need to adapt. It is with regret Gregory, that you're fired.' Speaking in the taxi after his firing, Gregory said: 'I understand that Lord Sugar fired me because he felt I was unable to adapt. 'However, I am determined to prove Lord Sugar wrong and show him why I should have been his next business partner.' He's out! Gregory Ebbs has become the third candidate to be fired on The Apprentice after 'struggling' with the latest task Tough: The antiques marketplace owner, was sacked in Thursday's episode after Lord Sugar said he 'struggled' with the task This week's task saw the 15 remaining candidates tasked with creating their own cartoons for two to four-year-olds, that could be pitched to industry experts. Earlier this week, Gregory was forced to apologise after it was revealed his online 'ebay for antiques' marketplace stocked Nazi memorabilia. The candidate's business Ebbs' Raven Yard Antiques has come under fire from Jewish groups who accused it of selling controversial artefacts to 'sick collectors'. Controversy: Earlier this week, Gregory was forced to apologise after it was revealed his online ' ebay for antiques' marketplace stocked Nazi memorabilia Speaking to MailOnline, Gregory has apologised, explaining that 'the item in question was sold by a third party vendor. 'I in no way condone or wish to be looking to be celebrating this abhorrent and shameful part of history and I apologise for any offence caused,' Gregory said in a statement to MailOnline. 'My online business is an antiques marketplace where independent sellers have a platform to sell a wide range of antiques, memorabilia & militaria from many different periods of history.' Difficult: As Lord Sugar delivered his damning final verdict and fired Gregory, he said in the boardroom: 'Gregory by your own admission you struggled with the task' Reflection: Speaking in the taxi after his firing, Gregory said: 'I understand that Lord Sugar fired me because he felt I was unable to adapt' 'The item in question was sold by a third party vendor. This type of memorabilia is not something I would personally sell or stock. The website is relatively new and I will be looking to implement stricter vetting procedures for third party vendors. The entrepreneur - who is Jewish himself - had become a fan-favourite since the show's launch earlier this month with many saying he was their early favourite to win. Last week's episode of The Apprentice saw two candidates exit the show, with Shannon Martin deciding to quit the process after realising she wasn't 'in it for the right reasons.' Following her exit Kevin D'Arcy became the second candidate of the series to be fired by Lord Sugar, after being told that was 'more focused on revenue than profit' during the disastrous Bao Buns challenge. Task: This week's task saw the 15 remaining candidates tasked with creating their own cartoons for two to four-year-olds, that could be pitched to industry experts It's a look more associated with Love Island than the boardroom But more than half the female contestants on this years Apprentice appear to be boasting cosmetically enhanced lips. Some viewers of the hit BBC1 show have become obsessed with the trout pouts and duck lips sported by those hoping to win a 250,000 business investment from Lord Sugar. Hair salon owner Dani Donovan has prompted much discussion over whether she has received cosmetic help such as filler. Some fans wrote on social media that the 25-year-old, from Hertfordshire, needs to deflate her lips. Meanwhile, Rochelle Anthony, 35, another hair salon owner, from Bedfordshire, has likened herself to American reality star Kim Kardashian, who has inspired a generation of young women to seek the fuller-lipped look. Ms Anthony says: Im always being compared to the Kim Kardashian of the business world because Im doing business with a hint of glam. Flight attendant turned online sweet business owner Victoria Goulbourne (right), 28, has fuller lips, as does 29-year-old Denisha Kaur Bharj (left), a financial controller from Leicestershire Her Instagram account also features many raunchy selfies. Flight attendant turned online sweet business owner Victoria Goulbourne, 28, also has fuller lips, as does 29-year-old Denisha Kaur Bharj, a financial controller from Leicestershire. Shazia Hussains lips have also prompted discussion, though it is likely the recruitment experts lipstick is the reason behind her fuller pout. And Emma Browne, 26, who was the first to leave the show after other female contestants accused her of being disruptive, also has a fuller bottom lip. Hair salon owner Dani Donovan (left) has risen discussion over whether she has received cosmetic help such as filler, whilst, Rochelle Anthony, 35, (right) another hair salon owner, from Bedfordshire, has likened herself to American reality star Kim Kardashian Many of this years Love Island contestants, including Tanyel Revan and Anna-May Robey, have admitted to having plumped up their lips with filler. However, surgeons in the UK are reporting a rise in the number of women paying to have lip fillers dissolved. Demand for artificially plumped lips rocketed after Ms Kardashians half-sister Kylie Jenner revealed she had undergone the procedure at 17. But the trend started in the 1990s with the likes of Meg Ryan, Melanie Griffith and Men Behaving Badly star Leslie Ash, who suffered an allergic reaction to a filler which left her with hugely swollen lips. Even Lord Sugar, 75, has admitted to having had cosmetic procedures. He said: Yes! Ive had my eyes done. Ive had cosmetic surgery. I did it for vanity end of. Veteran actor Charles Dance has revealed how very, very lucky he is to be dating his Italian girlfriend who is 22 years his junior. Dance, 76, who starred in The Crown, described his partner, Alessandra Masi, 54, as fantastic as he talked for the first time about how they met on the set of his newly released film, The Book of Vision. Former actress Ms Masi was working as a production manager on the surreal historical movie which was shot on locations in Italy and Belgium. The film features Dance as two doctors one in modern London and the other in 18th century Prussia. Asked what was his main memory of the movie, he said: To be honest, its meeting Alessandra. Lovestruck: Charles Dance and girlfriend Alessandra Masi pictured together during a night out in London in November He added that the Bologna University graduate now lives with him most of the time, which Im really pleased about. In an interview with The Times, Dance admitted that his joy at meeting her overshadowed the film, saying: Well, it does a bit. Alessandras fantastic. Im very, very lucky. The couple have now been together for around three years. Dance famed for his roles in The Jewel in the Crown, White Mischief and Gosford Park became known to a new generation of fans, playing Tywin Lannister in Game Of Thrones. He also recently played Louis, Earl Mountbatten of Burma, in The Crown. Dance, who was married to Joanna Haythorn from 1970 to 2004, is known for having had a string of younger girlfriends. He was linked to Emilia Fox before his divorce, and had a relationship with actress Sophia Myles, who was 33 years his junior, from 2003 to 2005. Dance later dated model Shambhala Marthe, 26 years his junior. His next love was painter Eleanor Boorman, 25 years his junior. They split after she had a daughter by him when he was 65. The actor, who keeps in shape swimming on Hampstead Heath, told an interviewer in 2019 that he likes beautiful women. He added: I like independence, I like strong women, women who survive and thrive in what is still a male-dominated world in most professions. Filming of The Book of Vision began five years ago, but it has only just been released due to Covid and distribution delays. Victoria Beckham has hailed new Love Island host Maya Jama as her latest fashion muse after her hugely successful debut this week. The Love Island presenter, who became an instant hit with fans, has sported a variety of eye-catching outfits in the opening episodes - including a gorgeous red two-piece and a breathtaking black cut-out dress. TV presenter Maya, 28, who took over from Laura Whitmore as host of the ITV2 reality show, also wore a red suit by Victoria's fashion brand in a Sunday Times Style magazine shoot this month. Fan: Victoria Beckham has hailed new Love Island host Maya Jama as her latest fashion muse after her hugely successful debut this week And now, The Sun has revealed that Victora, 48, spent time with Maya at British Vogue's Forces For Change initiative dinner last month at The Londoner hotel, after being introduced by editor-in-chief Edward Enninful. According to the newspapers insider: 'The women discussed fashion after an introduction by Edward, who admires them both, and they hit it off well. 'Maya loves expressing herself with clothes and has long been a supporter of Victoria's work and, likewise, Victoria was delighted to meet the beauty as she has her finger on the pulse. 'Victoria thinks Maya is the future of the fashion world and hopes they can do more work together.' Wow: The Love Island presenter, who became an instant hit with fans, has sported a variety of eye-catching outfits in the opening episodes - including a gorgeous red two-piece and a breathtaking black cut-out dress On top of their meeting, Victoria posted an image of Maya's recent shoot this week on Instagram, calling her 'VB Muse'. Previously Maya has been a guest at Victoria's fashion shows and in 2019, at her Spring/Summer event, appeared in the same baby blue suit as Victoria's mother Jackie Adams. This comes after Victoria described wanting to look thin as 'an old-fashioned attitude' adding: 'Every woman wants a nice, round, curvy bottom.' History: TV presenter Maya, 28, who took over from Laura Whitmore as host of the ITV2 reality show, also wore a red suit by Victoria's fashion brand in a Sunday Times Style magazine shoot this month Meanwhile, Maya has always been proud of her curves. She told Cosmopolitan in 2020: 'It's so ridiculous that people use the angle of "you're a woman, you should cover up". We're women, we have boobs. Some people are stuck in the past. You can't police somebody's outfit. 'I've put on weight. When I was smaller, nobody would comment about the dresses (I wore) but because my boobs are bigger now, it's offensive. 'You can be the best presenter in the world, but if you're wearing a low-cut top, that's going to be the only focus. It is stupid.' Hailey Bieber has been known to set-off some fashion and style trends over the years. On Saturday, the model, 26 - who's known for her long tresses - showed off her new blunt bob cut by posting two newInstagram photos of herself as well as a short video on TikTok where she posed while highlighting the hairdo. 'Oops,' she joked in the caption of the first Instagram picture, as well as in the TikTok clip, which at last check already had been liked more than 374,000 times. Scroll down to video New look for new year: Hailey Bieber, 26, unveiled her new blunt bob cut with a couple of photos on Instagram and a short TikTok video of herself And from the sounds of some of her social media followers, the Rhode Beauty founder is likely to continue her fashion-forward ways and inspire some fans to follow her lead and cut their locks short. Bieber first struck a side angle pose for a selfie snap while decked out in a black leather University Of Miami jacket with green and orange trim and cool thin-frame sunglasses. For the second selfie Bieber shot an up-close photo of herself modeling the blunt bob that also revealed the gray shirt she was wearing underneath her coat. 'Oops,' she joked in the caption of the first Instagram picture, as well as in the TikTok clip, which at last check already had been liked more than 374,000 times Old look: Bieber had been photographed in the last couple of days still with her long hairstyle; she is seen here in Los Angeles on January 18 The TikTok clip begins with the model pointing the camera down at her blue sneakers and then panning the shot out to her backyard. She then flips the video around to show off her new blunt bob, along with her stylish shades and university jacket. At this point, the Arizona native lifted one of her arms high into the air with enthusiasm, and followed-up by quickly turning her head to the side and then back. Bieber's new hairstyle in the new year prompted a slew of her 11 million TikTok fans and followers to share how influential her style has been in the comments section of the post. Another unveiling: The fashionista also unveiled the new bob cut in short video she shared on TikTok, which began with her camera pointed down at her blue sneakers Bieber then flips the video around to highlight her blunt bob, along with her stylish shades and University Of Miami jacket. Flirty: At one point the model puckers up and offers a kiss towards then camera Excited: Bieber would go on to lift one arm high into the air with enthusiasm, and followed-up by quickly turning her head to the side and then back 'I saw Hailey Bieber get a blunt bob so I got a blunt bob,' one person wrote, which seemed to sum up what many others were thinking when it comes to being a trendsetter. 'Literally every girl is gonna go cut their hair now lollllll' another wrote, while others shared comments such as, 'Hailey's about to have all the girlies chopping off their hair' and 'The Brand new haircut is coming.' There were also people who just preferred that Bieber stick with her longtime long hair look, with comments like: 'It took you 3 years to grow out ur hair and u just cut it off???? gurl!!!! gonna miss ur long hair!!!!' But she also had plenty of followers who support her decision to cut her locks short with comments that included, 'It looks SO GOOD' and 'LOVE.' Travis Barker revealed over the weekend that he has gotten a massive tattoo of his wife Kourtney Kardahian's eyes. The 47-year-old Blink-182 drummer posed for an Instagram snap in which he lifted one of the hems of his boxers to reveal the body art scrawled across his right thigh. He included the snapshot, and a close-up of the still raw ink, in an album that also showed him posing up a storm with Kourtney herself. Tribute: Travis Barker revealed over the weekend that he has gotten a massive tattoo of his wife Kourtney Kardahian's eyes Kourtney had slid her hourglass figure into a clinging and tantalizingly high-cut shirt-dress that allowed her to showcase her shapely legs for the camera. Travis meanwhile knelt behind her with his face hidden behind her derriere but his hands visible clamped over her thighs. 'Oh hey there,' captioned Travis, who over the course of his romance with Kourtney has gotten multiple tattoos in her honor. Early in the relationship he got Kourtney's name inked onto his chest, and as their love affair unfolded she herself tattooed: 'I love you,' onto one of his forearms. Unmistakable: The 47-year-old Blink-182 drummer posed for an Instagram snap in which he lifted one of the hems of his boxers to reveal the body art scrawled across his right thigh Together now: He included the snapshot, and a close-up of the still raw ink, in an album that also showed him posing up a storm with Kourtney herself Shortly after he proposed to her in October 2021, he also had body art of Kourtney's lips applied on the inside of his bicep - along with a scorpion artfully positioned to cover up his ex-wife Shanna Moakler's name. Earlier this week Kourtney and Travis were seen carrying their glasses of red wine out of a restaurant and into their car after dinner with her pal Addison Rae. Kourtney and Travis famously had a drunken Las Vegas wedding on April Fool's Day last year, exchanging vows in front of an Elvis impersonator. Greetings: 'Oh hey there,' captioned Travis, who over the course of his romance with Kourtney has gotten multiple tattoos in her honor Commitment: Early in the relationship he got Kourtney's name inked onto his chest Sealing the deal: As their love affair unfolded Kourtney herself tattooed: 'I love you,' onto one of his forearms, as seen on her INstagram Details: He also had body art of Kourtney's lips applied on the inside of his bicep - along with a scorpion artfully positioned to cover up his ex-wife Shanna Moakler's name However the Vegas ceremony turned out not to be legally binding as they had neglected to obtain the requisite paperwork ahead of time. After obtaining their civil marriage in California, the pair jetted off to Portofino in May for a luxurious wedding surrounded by family at Castello Brown. Shortly thereafter, Travis was hospitalized for several days while suffering from a bout of pancreatitis he said was triggered by a polyp removal during an endoscopy. Part of the clan: Travis' latest ink of Kourtney comes after he made himself a part of Kardashian family tradition by co-hosting their Christmas Eve bash In other cases pancreatitis can also be brought on by such health issues as chronic heavy alcohol consumption or gallstones. Kourtney's latest professional team-up with Travis comes after he made himself a part of Kardashian family tradition by co-hosting their Christmas Eve bash. The annual blowout used to be reliably thrown by the family's matriarch Kris Jenner, but in recent years the task has fallen to her various daughters. Having a ball: Kourtney and Travis famously had a drunken Las Vegas wedding on April Fool's Day last year, exchanging vows in front of an Elvis impersonator Last month Kourtney and Travis welcomed the family over for a Yuletide extravaganza including forests of scarlet Christmas trees. The party was designed by Mindy Weiss, the event planner behind the Stormi World carnivals that Kylie Jenner throws for her daughter's birthdays. Kourtney is also currently co-parenting three children - Mason, 13, Penelope, 10, and Reign, eight - with her sizzling ex-fiance Scott Disick. Nina Dobrev put on a dazzling display sporting a sequin ensemble in her latest Instagram photo series shared on Saturday that captured special moments from her getaway to Antarctica. The Vampire Diaries alum, 34, was accompanied on the fun-filled trip by her boyfriend, Shaun White, whom she has been officially in a relationship with since 2020. Other celebrities joined in on the 'polar party', including fellow actress, Zoey Deutch and Oscar winner, Jared Leto. Dressed to impress: Nina Dobrev, 34, donned a dazzling ensemble as she enjoyed her lavish trip to Antarctica with boyfriend, Shaun White, and other celebrity pals The Degrassi star uploaded a snap of herself wearing black, sequin flared pants along with a long-sleeved, square-necked top that was tucked into the waist of her sparkling bottoms. She added a large, fuzzy black hat that partially covered her long, brunette locks that flowed down past her shoulders in light waves. Nina slipped into a pair of chunky, black boots to complete her overall fashionable ensemble for the day. As she posed on a layer of dark rocks, the actress held up a glass of bubbly champagne in the air while flashing a cheerful smile on her face. Scenic: The snaps that the Vampire Diaries alum shared showcased scenic views of the icy landscape surrounding her Calm water with chunks of ice and snow sprawled out around the star, and the sun could be seen high in the sky, offering a bit of warmth in the brisk weather. The beauty penned a short caption to her 26.1 million followers along with the photo series, and typed, 'polar party,' followed by a dancing emoji. In other snaps, Nina added a cream-colored, thick puffer jacket to help her stay warm in the cold temperatures, which she left unzipped in order to show off her sparkling ensemble. A digital camera was placed around her neck with a thin black strap so she could take her own pictures during the festivities. Selfie time: The star shared a fun selfie she had taken with her celebrity pals, Zoey Deutch and Jared Leto as they spent time on a boat The actress shared a fun selfie with actor, Jared Leto, and pal, Zoey Deutch. Nina held a glass full of a tasty refreshment as she flashed a big smile towards the camera. The House Of Gucci actor donned a blue jacket and jokingly stuck his tongue out for the picture, with the Not Okay star posing next to him. She opted for black puffer jacket along with a Chanel black beanie on top of her blonde locks for a luxurious touch to her look. Nina also shared a stylish snap with her boyfriend, Shaun White, as they posed with Zoey and her boyfriend, Home Economics actor, Jimmy Tatro. The Olympic snowboarder donned a black tuxedo which he paired with a white dress shirt and black bowtie. Glammed up: Nina also shared a stylish snap with her boyfriend, Shaun White, as they posed with Zoey and her boyfriend, Home Economics actor, Jimmy Tatro Party time: The actress could be seen wearing a purple, feathery scarf around her neck with another guest wearing a yellow scarf behind her as she danced in the small space Shaun's right arm was gently wrapped around Nina's waist, who had added a black sequin sweater that was secured with a belt of the same fabric. The two lovebirds both opted for stylish shades as they faced the bright sun. Zoey showed off her Prada jacket which offered a glimpse of her black flared trousers and fuzzy black and white-patterned top underneath. Her boyfriend, Jimmy, also dressed up and wore a classic black suit with a small bowtie placed around the collar of his dress shirt. He added a black beanie and snowboard-styled goggles for a finishing touch to his overall ensemble. They all posed together for the photo at the front of a boat that offered a scenic view around them. Having a blast: The star-studded group later exited the boat to take a memorable snap with a small, wooden penguin next to what appeared to be a makeshift, snow-covered table Fashionable duo: Nina and Zoey could be seen posing in front of a helicopter wearing their stylish ensembles Making memories: The beauty penned a short caption to her 26.1 million followers along with the photo series, and typed, 'polar party,' followed by a dancing emoji The star-studded group later exited the boat to take a memorable snap with a small, wooden penguin next to what appeared to be a makeshift, snow-covered table. Nina also posed for a picture with her gal pal, Zoey, as they prepared to take a helicopter ride to better take in the snow-capped scenery. One of the last snaps she shared in the carousel of photos was a wooden sign that pointed to different directions, including USA and France. The Vampire Academy actress reposted some of the photos onto her own Instagram, with Nina doing the same with a few other snaps. Happy times: The Vampire Academy actress reposted some of the photos onto her own Instagram, with Nina doing the same with a few other snaps Scenic: The star has been giving a glimpse of the once-in-a-lifetime trip on her social media outlets since the New Year, along with recently celebrating her 34th birthday earlier this month The star has been giving a glimpse of the once-in-a-lifetime trip on her social media outlets since the New Year, along with recently celebrating her 34th birthday earlier this month. Shaun had wished his girlfriend a happy birthday on Instagram at the time, and penned the heartfelt caption, 'What planet are you from and will you take me with you?! Thanks for making life incredible! Happy birthday my love.' Fellow Vampire Diaries alum, Kayla Ewell, opened up to People earlier last year about her close friend and her relationship with Shaun. It was confirmed in April 2020 that the two were officially dating. 'I lived with Nina for years,' she explained to the publication. 'She and I are so close, and it's so fun to finally see her with someone that brings out the best version of her.' The Freaks And Geeks star further added that the two lovebirds have, 'so much fun together,' and that they are both, 'jokesters.' The Vampire Diaries is available now only on Stan in Australia. Billionaire Bill Gates was spotted with three bodyguards as he exited the Australian Museum in Sydney on Saturday. The Microsoft mogul, 67, whose net worth is $101 billion, stepped out in the harbour city before a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Mr Gates looked to be sightseeing at the popular attraction, with him dressed casually holding a small gift bag. Sydney isn't THAT scary! Billionaire Bill Gates, 67, was seen with three bodyguards as he exited the Australian Museum in Sydney on Saturday before meeting the Prime Minister Gates looked suitably relaxed wearing a blue long-sleeve shirt along with a pair of tan chinos and a belt. He finished his look with a white cap and a pair of red sneakers. Gates had a meeting at Kirribilli House with the Australian Prime on Saturday night, with the PM seen shaking hands with the billionaire. The Microsoft mogul, whose net worth is $101 billion, stepped out in the Harbour City before meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese It marked the first time the pair have ever met with the two discussing pressing issues including climate change, renewable energy and vaccines. Mr Gates said he loved visiting Australia while Mr Albanese said he 'admired' the philanthropy being done by the tech billionaire. 'Can I welcome you here very much - we haven't met before, but I've admired your work and your contribution not just financially but in raising debates, including the need to deal with health issues,' the Prime Minister said. The American mogul looked suitably relaxed wearing a blue long-sleeve shirt along with a pair of tan chinos and a belt Bill finished his look with a white cap and a pair of red sneakers 'We have just been through the pandemic, but we need to prepare for future health challenges - and the work that's being done on eradicating malaria and other diseases in our region is very important.' Mr Gates is visiting Australia with the Gates Foundation and representatives from his Breakthrough Energy company, which drives innovation in sustainable energy and in technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 'My government was elected on a platform of taking climate change seriously - we introduced the first legislative caps of 43 per cent by 2030 and net zero by 2050,' the Prime